Abstract:
A relatively lightweight and easy to use flexible heating mat for melting snow and ice that can be cut in the field to custom length or to accommodate direction changes or avoid obstructions. The heating mat includes one or more planar flexible heaters sandwiched between two vulcanized polymer protective sheets. The heating mat may be activated remotely or manually and can be powered from either end of the heating mat. Nonskid patterns ate typically included in heating mats used on driveways and walkways.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/129,965 filed Aug. 6, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to flexible heating mats for melting snow and ice on driveways, walkways, including stairs, and roofs. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Over the years there have been a number of attempts to melt snow and ice accumulations by heating the affected surface. Most past configurations required a permanent installation of the heating element inside the surface, as exemplified by Watanabe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,418 and Deschenes in U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,745. These solutions however tend to be expensive, are not readily adaptable to existing surfaces, and maintenance and repair often require destruction and reconstruction of the protected surface. 
     Several attempts at melting snow and ice accumulations by placing a heater on the surface of the area to be cleared have been made, as discussed below. Bayless et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,057 teaches the use of multiple individual panels to cover varying size areas. The Bayless patent however calls for multiple connections between the separate panels, presenting potential failure points. Additionally the panel may be dislocated or disconnected when driven upon. Bayless also requires a large number of panels to cover large areas and thus is not desirable for installation on driveways. In fact, Bayless discloses that the panels are appropriate to steps and walkways only. 
     Another attempt by Shields, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,365 addresses those concerns by placing the heating element in a flexible lattice form. However, Shields uses a single series resistive element in the form of specialized and expensive heating cables distributed throughout the lattice. The use of a single series heating element prevents field customization of the heater to fit varying length of protected areas, and reduces reliability since a break in any point along the heater will render the whole apparatus inoperative. 
     Similar patents include U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,292 to Saylor, U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,157 to Hargrove, U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,702 to Spencer, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,247 to Flynn, Jr. Patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,654 to Stinger have described heater elements allowing trimming to any desired length, comprising a thin, flexible laminated assembly of electrically conductive elastomeric material. U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,085 to Grise teaches flexible sheet film heating elements that comprises current feed electrodes, heretofore referred to as bus bars, disposed in parallel along two sides of the heater film. Multiple resistive ink patterns traversely connect between the bus bars to form an array of parallel connected heater elements. This arrangement allows for field customization of the heater length since the film heater may be cut anywhere between the parallel connected heating elements. However the Grise heater is not durable enough to sustain people or vehicular traffic or prolonged exposure to elements such as ultraviolet light, ozone, sand and chemicals. Additionally when cut, the Grise heater does not offer submersion protection since the bus bars are exposed at the cut end. 
     All the above, taken individually or in combination do not teach the current invention as claimed. An inexpensive solution to the problem of snow removal by electrical means that is easy to install by untrained personnel, and that may be sold in roll form to allow cutting for any desired length in the field is therefor clearly highly desirable and is presented in the instant invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a heating mat for melting snow and ice. It has at least one planar flexible electric heater, each of which includes a first elongated, flexible, electrically insulating substrate which has an electrically insulated surface. 
     The planar flexible heater further includes a plurality of resistive heating elements comprising a plurality of resistive material traces deposited on the first insulating substrate in a spaced apart relationship. In addition, a first and second electrical conductor is each disposed in proximity to each of respective opposing edges of the electric heater, and a third electrical conductor is disposed at an intermediate location between the first and second electrical conductor. Each of the resistive material traces are in electrical communication with the first, second and third electrical conductors and extend therebetween. 
     In another embodiment, in lieu of applying a plurality of parallel resistive traces, a uniform layer of resistive material trace is applied to the surface of the first insulating substrate. 
     The planar flexible heater further includes a second elongated, flexible, electrically insulating substrate having an electrically insulated surface, wherein the first insulating substrate is adhesively attached to the second insulating substrate with the resistive elements and electrical conductors disposed therebetween. The first insulating substrate and the second insulating substrate form the flexible electric heater&#39;s two opposite planar surfaces. 
     The flexible electric heater is sandwiched between two protective sheets composed of abrasion resistant flexible material. Each protective sheet has an inner surface oriented towards and in face to face adherent engagement with the respective planar surfaces of the flexible electric heater. The two protective sheets and electric heater disposed therebetween form the heater mat which has two opposing end edges, and two opposing side edges. 
     A novel advantage of the present invention is that the resistive heating traces and electrical conductors are arranged such that a portion of the heating mat may be removed or cut away to accommodate a use by cutting the heating mat to remove an unwanted or interfering portion. With a portion of the heating mat cut away, the heating mat nevertheless is capable of maintaining its electrical operative characteristics despite removal of the cut away portion of the heating mat. 
     In another embodiment of the present inventive heating mat, the planar flexible heater may further include a grounding metallic substrate which is in a laminar relationship with the first insulating substrate. The grounding metallic substrate is adhesively attached to the first insulating substrate. 
     Each of the first, second and third electrical conductor is typically an elongate strip made of copper or a copper alloy. In a preferred application of the present invention, where a copper strip may be relatively stiff and may cause some separation between the conductor and the resistive material traces when flexing the heater, an elongate conductive film may be disposed between each of the first, second and third electrical conductors and the first insulating substrate. The elongate conductive film may be a thin layer or coating of silver or a silver alloy. 
     A practical way to bond the respective inner surfaces of the protective sheets onto the respective planar surfaces of the electric heater is by spraying a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive on one of the respective planar surfaces of the electric heater or on one of the corresponding mating inner surfaces of the protective sheets. 
     Because the present invention is intended to be used on driveways, in such applications, it is preferred that at least one of the protective sheets includes an outer surface with a nonskid pattern impressed thereupon. For example, a nonskid pattern may include a plurality of ribs protruding therefrom, wherein the ribs form a cyclic V-pattern extending transversely to the side edges of the heating mat and the ribs further form drainage channels in the spaces therebetween. Such a pattern is commonly referred to as a “Chevron” pattern. Of course, other patterns may be used, including a straight transverse oriented V-pattern or a series of random embossed raised portions like that found in safety diamond plate. Such non-skid patterns would not be necessary when the present invention is installed on roof edges at or near the shingle drip edge flashing. Further, in some applications, the non-skid pattern may not be necessary for some stairs, staggered steps or surfaces and other walkways. In roof applications, one of the protective sheets that would typically be oriented toward the sky, can be made from synthetic or standard roofing materials, including shingles, wooden shakes or tar paper base or similar shingle materials, or single coverage rolled roofing materials. In such cases, the roofing material used for the protective sheet may be made to aesthetically blend in with existing roofing materials, including appropriate color coordination to match roof colors. 
     As an energy saver, the present invention may include a thermal cutout switch electrically connected in series with the flexible electric heater. 
     As an additional control as well as safety feature, it is recommended that the present invention further include a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) or an equipment leakage circuit interrupter (ELCI), as appropriate, which is electrically connected in series with the flexible electric heater. The interrupter is preferably located in an electrical power supply cable or cord for connecting the heating mat to a source of electrical power. 
     In order to prevent inadvertent fraying or wear and tear on the opposing side edges of the heating mat, the two opposing side edges of the heating mat may be bound by stitching an elongate substantially or generally water and mildew resistant material, such as a nylon, cotton, polyester web material, combinations thereof, or similar web material, to each of the opposing side edges, in the same manner that a person may finish the edges of a throw carpet. 
     The first and second insulating substrates are typically made from a thermoplastic laminate material or polyester based carrier. The adhesive bonding material may be a polyethylene based adhesive material. 
     To finish the opposing end edges of the heating mat, the present invention includes an elongated sealing bracket with a substantially U-shaped cross section that forms an elongated opening dimensioned to receive each of the opposing end edges of the heating mat within the opening. This feature protects the opposing end edges and protects the electrical connections located at one of the opposing end edges for connecting the at flexible electric heater to a source of electric power. 
     The elongated sealing bracket is attached with sealing means for bonding each end edge of the heating mat and for encapsulating each end edge thereby preventing submersion, exposure from weather hazards, and injury due to electrocution. The sealing means is typically a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive. In addition, a butyl rubber based adhesive tape may be used to encase the exposed end of the electric heater where the electrical connections are made after the hot melt adhesive is applied and before the sealing bracket is applied. Additionally, a tar-like sealant/adhesive may be applied along the inside edges of the bracket for additional weather-proofing. 
     The heating mat further includes means for connecting the source of electric power from either side edge of the elongated sealing bracket protecting the electrical connections. 
     The present invention may include an array of a plurality of electric heaters to be sandwiched between one set of protective sheets. For example, a typical application of the present invention would manufacture electric heaters which are approximately one foot wide. This size mat may be ideal for roof edges or narrow stairways and steps. However, the heating mats may as easily be made to accommodate any desired width, such as about 1-5 feet wide, by making a heating mat incorporating 1-5 heaters. This would render the invention ideal for driveways and wider walkways. The multiple electric heaters in these embodiments would be arranged parallel to each other. Of course, a single heater may be incorporated into any width heater mat. For example, a three foot heater mat may have an approximate three foot wide single heater incorporated within. 
     The protective sheets for the heating mat is generally made from a rubber based material, although other materials may be used, such as standard roofing materials for the protective sheet oriented toward the sky in roof applications. In order to increase the durability of the heating mat, it is recommended that the protective sheets be reinforced by fibrous or woven material, such as cotton, nylon, polyester, fiberglass, polymeric fibers, or similar fiber materials, embedded therein, or similar materials that can be woven within the base material. 
     The heating mat according to the present invention, further includes means for securing and for providing positional stability of the heating mat on a surface to be protected from snow and ice. This is typically grommets spaced along the edges of the heating mat through which appropriate fasteners may be used to position the heating mat in place. 
     When a heating mat is to be located on a roof edge, the means for securing and providing positional stability of the heating mat on a surface to be protected from snow and ice further preferably includes at least one elongate metallic strap having a plurality of spaced-apart angularly directed slots. Each strap is of sufficient length to allow the strap to slide under the roofing shingles and to engage a roof shingle nail into one of said slots. Each strap further includes a plurality of apertures in a spaced-apart relationship along the length of said strap. The heating mat may be attached to the strap by placing a fastener through one of the apertures into one of the grommets, thereby securing the heating mat to the roof edge. 
     To further secure the heating mat to a roof edge, the means for securing and providing positional stability of the heating mat on a surface to be protected from snow and ice may further include at least one elastomeric strap, similar to a bungy cord, with connecting means at each end for connecting one end of the strap to one of the grommets and for connecting an opposite end of the strap to a predetermined portion of a building near the roof edge. 
     Of course, smaller heating mats may be linked together for installation or use on staggered steps or surfaces by electrically interconnecting the smaller heating mats. 
     The heating mat according to the present invention may be electrically activated or electrically deactivated by a manual switch in the power cord, preferably between the equipment leakage circuit interrupter and the source of electric power, or by a remote means wherein a radio signal transmitter and receiver may be incorporated. Typically the transmitter will be located at a convenient location for accessibility by a homeowner or facility operator, while the receiver will be installed in line between the source of electric power and the equipment leakage circuit interrupter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of typical driveway, roof edge and walkway application of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 a  is a perspective view of the invention depicting each layered component; 
     FIG. 2 b  is a perspective view of the typical components making up the electrical power connection end of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 a  is an expanded detail view of the invention&#39;s electrical end; 
     FIG. 3 b  depicts an alternative typical application of the use of an eyelet electrical terminal spade to make a terminal connection; 
     FIG. 4 a  depicts a typical wiring connection for a 110-volt circuit; 
     FIG. 4 b  depicts a typical wiring connection for a 220-volt circuit; 
     FIG. 5 is a typical application of three electric heaters in parallel to form a wide heating mat; 
     FIG. 6 depicts the heating mat of FIG. 3 a , except with the uniform layer of resistive material traces; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an end of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 a  is a perspective view of a typical application of the use of a female electrical connector at an end of the heating mat; 
     FIG. 8 b  is a perspective view of a typical application of the use of a male electrical connector at an end of the heating mat; 
     FIG. 9 a  is a perspective view of a temporary male dummy plug for use with the female electrical connector depicted in FIG. 8 a;    
     FIG. 9 b  is a perspective view of a temporary female dummy plug for use with the male electrical connector depicted in FIG. 8 b;    
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a typical non-skid pattern of the heating mat; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of the typical non-skid pattern of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a typical application of the heating mat roof attachment means; 
     FIG. 13 a  is a perspective view depicting the use of the invention on a roof edge; 
     FIG. 13 b  is an exploded view of the use of the strap of FIG. 12 to secure the invention on a roof; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view depicting a typical application of the invention on a stairway; 
     FIG. 15 is a schematic view depicting a typical application of the invention on staggered steps around the perimeter of a storage tank; and 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram depicting the manual and remote electrical activation features of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, in particular FIGS. 1-5, the invention which is a heating mat depicted generally as  100 , comprises at least one planar flexible electric heater which includes a first elongated, flexible, electrically insulating substrate  12  having an electrically insulated surface; a plurality of resistive heating elements  24  comprising a plurality of resistive material traces  24  deposited on the first insulating substrate  12  in spaced apart relationship; a first and second electrical conductor  22 , each disposed in proximity to each of respective opposing edges of said electric heater  10  and a third electrical conductor  22  disposed at an intermediate location between the first and second electrical conductor  22 . Each of said resistive material traces  24  are in electrical communication with the first, second and third electrical conductors  22  and extending therebetween. 
     The planar flexible heater  10  further including a second elongated, flexible, electrically insulating substrate  14  having an electrically insulated surface, wherein the first insulating substrate  12  is adhesively attached to the second insulating substrate  14  with the resistive elements  24  and electrical conductors  22  disposed therebetween, the first insulating substrate  12  and the second insulating substrate  14  forming the at flexible electric heater&#39;s two opposite planar surfaces. 
     Two protective sheets  1 , 3  composed of abrasion resistant flexible material, each having an inner surface oriented towards and in face to face adherent engagement with the respective planar surfaces of the flexible electric heater  10  disposed between each protective sheet  1 , 3  form the heater mat  100  which has two opposing end edges and two opposing side edges. 
     The resistive heating traces  24  and electrical conductors  22  are arranged such that a portion of the heating mat  100  may be removed, as depicted at  142  in FIG. 1, to accommodate a use by cutting the heating mat  100  to remove the obstructing or interfering portion, while maintaining its electrical operative characteristics after removal of the portion. Should a pattern cut be made at a factory, it is understood that the cut away portion&#39;s edge would be finished at the factory. However, if the consumer cuts away a portion, it is recommended that the edge be further sealed with electrical sealants and tapes commonly available from most hardware stores or by using adhesives like hot glue and roofing tar and encasing the cut away edge with a tape, rubber or light plastic channel material before the adhesive cures. 
     In a typical application of the invention, heater  10  further includes a grounding metallic substrate in a laminar relationship with the first insulating substrate  104  which is adhesively attached to the first insulating substrate  12  on the planar side opposite the resistive material traces  24 . Substrate  104  is typically made of aluminum or an alloy thereof. 
     The first, second and third electrical conductors  22  comprise an elongate strip which is typically made from either copper or a copper alloy. The copper conductor  22  is typically about ¾ inch wide with a thickness of about 10 mils. 
     Because a copper strip or bus bar has some inherent stiffness thereby causing some minor separation points with the resistive material traces  24 , the efficacy of the conductor  22  contact area with the resistive material traces  24  may be increased by further including an elongate conductive film  102  disposed between each of the first, second and third electrical conductors  22  and the first insulating substrate  12  with the resistive material traces  24  imprinted thereon. This elongate conductive film  102  is typically made from silver or a silver alloy. Each film  102  of silver is typically about ¼ inch wide and about 0.5 mil thick. 
     The resistive material traces  24  typically comprise a conductive carbon ink which is typically sprayed on the substrate  12  using a process similar to a rotary silk-screening process. The thickness of the resistive material traces  24  is generally about 0.4 to 0.6 mil. The silver film  102  need not be as wide as the copper bus strip or conductor  22 . A relatively narrow band of silver film  102  running along one or both edges of the conductors  22  and protruding slightly under the surface of the copper conductors  22  is satisfactory. 
     The substrates  12 , 14  can be made of thin film flexible electrically insulating polymeric material such as polyester or Kepton which is commercially available from DuPont of Wilmington, Del. Protective sheets  1 , 3  are typically made from an elastomeric material such as fiber reinforce rubber or rubber like vulcanized polymer. The protective sheets  1 , 3  seal and protect the heater  10  from exposure to the elements as well as provide for mechanical strength and durability. 
     The protective sheets  1 , 3  are typically adhesively laminated to the heater  10  using a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive  118  which is generally sprayed on or otherwise applied by manual or automated manufacturing means to saturate the heater  10  planar surfaces before each protective sheet  1 , 3  is laminated to the heater  10 . 
     Protective sheet  1  with surface pattern  6  is typically applied to one side or both sides of the mat  100 , except in applications such as driveways and roof edges, where a nonskid pattern  5  is recommended for the surface being walked on or being driven on, that is, protective sheet  3 . It is recognized that the use of a rubber based material for protective sheet  1  with pattern  6  does have some minimal nonskid characteristics; however, more pronounced nonskid patterns  5 , which may be straight lined V-shaped or cyclic V-shaped (Chevron shaped) with the valley area forming drainage channels  7 , are preferred for driveways and walkways. Typically, this nonskid pattern  5  includes a plurality of ribs protruding therefrom, the ribs forming a cyclic V-pattern extending transversely to the side edges of the heating mat and the ribs further forming drainage channels in the spaces therebetween. FIG. 2 b  depicts a uniform series of straight line V-shaped ribs while FIGS. 1 and 2 a  depict typical “Chevron” shaped ribs. FIGS. 10 and 11 further depict this pattern with ribs  106 . Other patterns may mimic star or diamond shape safety plate impressions or other generally acceptable safety nonskid patterns. 
     The present invention heating mat  100 , when used on a roof edge such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 13 a , may have a nonskid protective sheet on one side of heating mat  100  which is made from a fiber-reinforced rubber base material or from a synthetic or standard roofing material, including shingles (wooden shakes or tar paper base or similar shingle materials), or single coverage rolled roofing materials, which has colored imbedded surface particulates which blend in to correspond to the color of typical roof colors, thereby improving the aesthetics of the roof line when heating mat  100  is used in this application. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, heating mat  100  generally includes means for securing and for providing positional stability of the heating mat  100  on a surface to be protected from snow and ice. Heating mat  100  may be secured in place in numerous ways including using stakes or fasteners  26  through grommets  108  located in a predetermined spaced-apart relationship along the respective side edges of the heating mat  100 . In some applications, grommets  108  may be used as tie-offs where a cable, rope, or bungy cord  116  is connected at one end to a grommet  108  and the other end is tied-off to a structure such as a nearby landscape structure or a part of the house, including under the eave of a roof edge. 
     FIG. 1 depicts two parallel heating mats  100  installed on a driveway. These heating mats  100  may be about 3 feet wide each with the length to suit the length of the driveway. 
     Although not required, the heating mat  100  may include a thermal cutout switch  70  electrically connected in series with the flexible electric heater  10 . It is preferable to eliminate or minimize any chances of an inadvertent shock, that an equipment leakage circuit interrupter-ELCI (or a ground fault circuit interrupter-GFCI)  134  be electrically connected in series with the flexible electric heater  10 , the interrupter  134  being specifically located in an electrical power supply cable  60  for connecting the heating mat to a source  160  of electrical power with electrical plug  136 . The ELCI device is typically used in circuits rated at greater than 30 amps and works in the same manner as the GFCI would for lower amperage circuits. 
     As shown on FIG. 3 a , the heating mat  100  preferably has two opposing side edges which are bound by stitching an elongate substantially or generally water and mildew resistant material  140  to each of said opposing side edges. This is typically a two inch wide durable nylon web material, although it may be made from cotton, polyester or similar web materials. Although the web material is a preferred method of finishing the edges, an alternative method may include adhesively applying elastomeric or rubber based channels similar to those found in some industrial rubber backing carpets used for building entry ways. 
     The first and second insulating substrates  12 , 14  are typically made from a thermoplastic laminate material. 
     An elongated sealing bracket  50  having a substantially U-shaped cross section forming an elongated opening is dimensioned to receive each of the opposing end edges of the heating mat  100 . The bracket  50  protects the opposing end edges and the electrical connections at each opposing end edges for connecting the flexible electric heater  10  to a source of electric power  160 . 
     The elongated sealing bracket  50  is typically attached with sealing means for bonding each end edge of the heating mat  100  and for encapsulating each end edge thereby preventing submersion, exposure from weather hazards, and injury due to electrocution. As shown in FIG. 2 b , this is typically accomplished by applying a pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive  118  at an exposed end where the terminal connections are made, then generally wrapping the end edge with a butyl rubber based adhesive tape material  120 , and then installing bracket  50  over the end encapsulating the terminals and adhesive tape  120 . The inside edges of the bracket  50  is preferably coated with a tar like adhesive sealant  144 . FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of bracket  50  with hot melt adhesive  118 , butyl rubber adhesive tape  120  and sealant  144 . It is then placed in a press to compress the bracket  50  to ensure a properly fitted and sealed end of the heating mat  100 . 
     Although a power cord  60  may run directly from the side edge of the bracket  50 , it is preferable that electrical connectors similar to that depicted as  130   a  and  130   b  be prewired into the edge of the bracket  50 . As a convenience to installing the heating mat  100  in areas where the source of electrical power  160  may vary, it is recommended that respective male and female electrical connectors  130   a , 130   b  be prewired at both ends of the heating mat  100 . This will facilitate interconnecting parallel mats  100  such as the two driveway mats  100  depicted in FIG. 1, or for connecting staggered or sequentially laid mats  100  such as the walkway mat  100  being electrically connected to the end of one of the driveway mats  100  as depicted in FIG. 1 or the staggered step use as depicted in FIG. 15 where mats  100  are installed on steps around a tank  154 . 
     While a heating mat  100  for use on a roof edge may be made with a heater  10  which is about one foot wide, it is possible to make heating mats significantly wider, including 2-8 feet wide for driveways and walkways. In these situations, when an approximate three foot wide heating mat is manufactured, three heaters  10  may be arranged in parallel as depicted in FIG. 5 as an example, and then sandwiched into two single protective sheets  1 , 3  to form an approximate three foot wide heating mat  100 . To obtain a two foot wide mat  100 , a four foot wide mat  100 , etc., would just require a corresponding number of one foot wide heaters  10  sandwiched between the protective sheets  1 , 3 . In this way, a manufacturer need only use a one size width heater  10  to manufacture almost any width mat  100 . Of course, it is within the scope of the present invention to use a single width heater  10  that corresponds to an approximate equal width mat  100 . 
     When installing heating mat  100  on a roof edge, one typical application of installing the mat  100  is shown in FIGS. 12,  13   a  and  13   b  includes the use of at least one elongate metallic strap  110  having a plurality of spaced-apart angularly directed slots  112 , each strap  110  being of sufficient length for sliding said strap under roofing shingles  150  to engage a roof shingle nail  146  into one of the slots  112 . Each strap  110  further includes a plurality of apertures  114  in a spaced-apart relationship along the length of said strap  110 , wherein the heating mat  100  may be attached to the strap  110  by placing a fastener  148 , such as a bolt and wing nut, through one of the apertures  114  and into one of the grommets  108 , thereby securing the heating mat  100  in place, along roof edge  162  of building  164 . 
     As mentioned above, when securing a heating mat  100  on a roof edge, one or more elastomeric straps  116 , similar to bungy cords, with connecting means at each end for connecting the strap  116  to one of the grommets  108  and for connecting an opposite end of the strap  116  to a predetermined portion of the building near the roof edge. 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  depicts respective typical wiring diagrams for a 110 volt and a 220 volt connection. In the 110 volt heating mat  100  connection, white (W) wire  124  or generally called the neutral wire, is connected to the intermediate conductor  22 ; and black (B) wire  122  or the positive power wire is connected to one of the edge conductors  22  which in turn is connected to the opposite edge conductor  22 . Green (G) wire or the ground wire  126  is then connected to the aluminum grounding substrate  104 . In the 220 volt connection, the neutral wire  124  is connected to one edge conductor  22  and the positive wire  122  is connected to the opposite edge conductor  22  as shown in FIG. 4 b . Although there are numerous methods of making the terminal connections, preferred examples are shown in FIGS. 3 a ,  3   a ,  4   a  and  4   b . In these depictions, bite-type compression amp terminal fittings  11   a  or eyelet type barrel terminal fittings  11   b  are used. The bite-type fittings  11   a  provide for more effective and reliable contact. 
     FIG. 5 described above further depicts a typical 110 volt wiring scheme for using three heaters  10  to form a single heating mat  100 . FIG. 6 is intended to point out that in lieu of a plurality of parallel resistive material traces as depicted FIG. 3 a , an alternative heater  10  may incorporate a uniform layered resistive heating element  24  comprising a generally uniform layer of resistive material traces  24  deposited on the first insulating substrate  12 . Otherwise the remaining structural components remain the same as previously described. 
     FIGS. 8 a  and  8   b  show respective female and male electrical connectors  130   b , 130   a  incorporated into the bracket  50  edges. In a practical application, it is recommended that rivet or strain relief apertures  138  be included in bracket  50  so that securing screws may be optionally inserted from the top surface of bracket  50  into the body of electrical connectors  130   a , 130   b . To weather protect the unused connectors  130   a , 130   b  when mat  100  is used and electrically powered, it is recommended that dummy plugs and receptacles  128  be used, as shown in FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b . It is further recommended that fasteners  132  be used to secure plugs and receptacles  128  to corresponding connectors  130   a , 130   b . This method of fastening is similar to that used when fastening computer cables to the back of a computer. 
     FIG. 14 is another application of the invention where heating mat  100  is laid down a set of steps. In this application, the mat  100  may be secured by using the grommets  108  as previously described or by using rods fasteners  152  similar to that used for installing carpets on stairways. 
     FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram depicting a manual and/or remote electrical activation feature of the present invention. In the manual activation feature, an individual may just manually switch at inline switch  156  the power “on” to activate the circuit or “off” to deactivate the circuit. In the remote activation feature, an individual may send a transmitted radio frequency signal from transmitter  158   a  to receiver  158   b  which can then by-pass a switch  156  to electrically activate or deactivate the circuit. The relays and contacts necessary to by-pass the switch  156  are not shown but such circuitry is well known in the art. 
     As seen from the foregoing description, the present invention satisfies a long felt need to provide a useful device which is convenient to use for snow melting and ice melting. 
     The invention is clearly new and useful. Moreover, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art at the time it was made, in view of the prior art considered as a whole as required by law. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing construction or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
     Now that the invention has been described,