Snow Melting Assembly

A snow melting assembly for a driveway includes a controller that comprises a microprocessor and a receiver. The receiver is operationally coupled to the microprocessor. A cable is coupled to and extends from the controller. A first mat is coupled to the cable distal from the controller. The first mat comprises rubber so that the first mat is resiliently compressible and rollable. A first heating element is embedded in the first mat. The first heating element is operationally coupled to the cable. A power cord is coupled to and extends from the controller. The power cord is configured to couple the controller to a source of electrical current. Programming code is positioned on an electronic device that enables a user to wirelessly communicate with the microprocessor, via the receiver, to signal the microprocessor to actuate the first heating element to melt the snow that is positioned on the first mat.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure and prior art relate to melting assemblies and more particularly pertains to a new melting assembly for a driveway.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a controller that comprises a microprocessor and a receiver. The receiver is operationally coupled to the microprocessor. A cable is coupled to and extends from the controller. A first mat is coupled to the cable distal from the controller. The first mat comprises rubber so that the first mat is resiliently compressible and rollable. A first heating element is embedded in the first mat. The first heating element is operationally coupled to the cable. A power cord is coupled to and extends from the controller. The power cord is configured to couple the controller to a source of electrical current. Programming code is positioned on an electronic device that enables a user to wirelessly communicate with the microprocessor, via the receiver, to signal the microprocessor to actuate the first heating element to melt the snow that is positioned on the first mat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular toFIGS. 1 through 4thereof, a new melting assembly embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral10will be described.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 4, the snow melting assembly10generally comprises a controller12, which in turn comprises a microprocessor14and a receiver16. The receiver16is operationally coupled to the microprocessor14. The receiver16allows the controller12to be wirelessly coupled to a computer network18, such as a home network. A cable20is coupled to and extends from the controller12.

A first mat22, which is rectangularly shaped, is coupled to the cable20distal from the controller12. The cable20extends from proximate to a first corner24of the first mat22. The first mat22comprises rubber so that the first mat22is resiliently compressible and rollable. The first mat22is constructed of rubber so that is can be rolled up and stored when not in use. When required, the first mat22can be positioned on a driveway proximate to a garage door opening, and then unrolled to cover the driveway, as shown inFIG. 2, with the controller12positioned in the interior of the garage to protect it from the elements and to be readily accessible to a user.

A first heating element26is embedded in the first mat22, as shown inFIG. 3. The first heating element26is operationally coupled to the cable20. The first heating element26extends loopedly between a first end28and a second end30of the first mat22, as shown inFIG. 1. The composition of the first mat22enables driving of a vehicle over the first mat22without damaging the first mat22or the first heating element26. A power cord32is coupled to and extends from the controller12. The power cord32is configured to couple the controller12to a source of electrical current.

Programming code34is positioned on an electronic device36, such as a home computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, or the like. The programming code34enables the user to wirelessly communicate with the microprocessor14, via the receiver16, to signal the microprocessor14to actuate the first heating element26to melt the snow that is positioned on the first mat22.

The assembly10also comprises a remote control38, which in turn comprises a transmitter40. The user is positioned to selectively actuate the remote control38to wirelessly communicate with the microprocessor14, via the receiver16, to signal the microprocessor14to actuate the first heating element26to melt the snow that is positioned on the first mat22. The transmitter40may signal the controller12via the computer network18or directly via radio signaling.

A switch42is coupled to the controller12and is operationally coupled to the microprocessor14. The switch42is configured to be selectively switched to signal the microprocessor14to actuate the first heating element26to melt the snow that is positioned on the first mat22. The switch42provides manual control to the user when the user is proximate to the controller12.

A timer44is operationally coupled to the microprocessor14. The timer44is positioned to signal the microprocessor14to deactivate the first heating element26upon elapsing of a preset time. The timer44allows the user to program the preset time so that the first heating element26heats the first mat22for a desired period.

The assembly10also comprises pair of first connectors46and a second mat48, as shown inFIG. 2. The first connectors46are coupled singly to and extend from the first mat22proximate to a second corner50and a third corner52of the first mat22. Like the first mat22, the second mat48comprises rubber so that the second mat48is resiliently compressible and rollable.

A second heating element54embedded in the second mat48. The second heating element54extends loopedly from a first edge56of the second mat48to a second edge58of the second mat48.

A pair of second connectors60is coupled to and extends from the second mat48. The second connectors60are operationally coupled to the second heating element54. The second connectors60are complementary to the first connectors46so that each second connector60is positioned to selectively couple to a respective first connector46. The second heating element54is operationally coupled to the controller12through the first heating element26and is actuated concurrently with the first heating element26to melt snow that is positioned on the second mat48. The second mat48allows the assembly10to be used with a longer driveway. The present invention anticipates that multiple second mats48could be sequentially coupled to the first mat22to cover even longer driveways.

In use, the first mat22is positioned on the driveway proximate to the garage door opening, and then unrolled to cover the driveway. When required, the user can activate the first heating element26, via the switch42, the remote control38, or the electronic device36, to melt the snow that is positioned on the first mat22.