Patent ID: 6051812
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: E04D,H05B

Abstract:
A snow and ice melting blanket device positioned on a surface and connected to a power source for melting snow and ice accumulating atop the surface, said snow and ice melting blanket device comprising:a) a tarpaulin including a top layer, a bottom layer and a third middle layer positioned between said top layer and said bottom layer, said middle layer including a heating element extending therethrough and being flexible allowing said tarpaulin to conform to a terrain of the surface desired to be maintained free of accumulating snow and ice;b) means for sensing a temperature of said tarpaulin; andc) means connected between said said heating element of said middle layer and the power source for sensing a weight of snow and ice accumulated atop said tarpaulin, andd) a platform having a top side, said tarpaulin being positioned on said top side of said platform and said top side of said platform being arced causing said tarpaulin to form an arc whereby any snow and ice melted by said tarpaulin to flow down along and off of said tarpaulin, wherein said means for sensing pressure is a pressure activated switch for connecting the power source to supply an electrical charge to said heating element upon sensing a predetermined weight of snow and ice accumulated atop said tarpaulin causing said heating element and said tarpaulin to heat up and melt the accumulated snow and ice thereby keeping said tarpaulin free of snow and ice.