Patent Publication Number: US-6211493-B1

Title: Ice prevention mat system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to safety equipment and more particularly to an ice prevention mat system for preventing the accumulation of ice and snow on footpaths, driveways, basketball courts, etc. that includes multiple resilient heatable mats, multiple rigid plastic light assemblies, a radio transmitter remote control unit and a control/power circuit housing for housing a programmable control circuit, a radio receiver and a remote code set switch and in connection with two two-conductor light assembly sockets and one three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket; each of the multiple resilient heatable mats including a resilient pad member having a resistance heating element and a temperature sensor embedded therein and electrically connectable via a plug socket assembly and a jumper block for electrically linking the last resistance heating element into connection with a heat return conductor, a pair of light assembly receiving slots on opposed sides of the resilient pad member each having an open top and shaped to slidingly receive into an open slot end thereof one of the multiple rigid plastic light assemblies and prevent lateral removal of the rigid plastic light assembly through the open top, a number of drainage grooves formed into the bottom surface of the resilient pad member and a number of non-skid areas on the top surface of the resilient pad member between the pair of light assembly receiving slots; each of the multiple resilient pad members being rollable into a roll for storage when no rigid plastic light assemblies are positioned within the light assembly receiving slots thereof; the radio transmitter remote control unit transmitting activation and deactivation codes on a predetermined radio frequency in response to depression of a remote activation switch; the programmable control circuit being in electrical connection with the temperature sensor and the heating element through the three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket, a remote code set switch for allowing a user to select activation and deactivation codes, the radio receiver tuned to the predetermined radio frequency, and two of the light assemblies using the two two-conductor light assembly sockets; the programmable control circuit being programmed to monitor the radio receiver for activation and deactivation codes and to turn on the light outputs when a light activation signal is received and to turn off the light outputs when a deactivation signal is received; the programmable control circuit being further programmed to monitor a temperature signal generated by the temperature sensor when the on/off switch is in the on position and to activate the heat output when the temperature signal is below a threshold trigger temperature that is greater than the freezing temperature of water and to deactivate the heat output when the temperature signal is above the threshold trigger temperature. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Many individuals are injured each year from slipping on snow covered or icy pathways. Although shoveling can remove the snow from the pathway, it requires a large amount of work which many infirm individuals are unable to perform. It would be benefit to these individuals to have an ice prevention mat system that included multiple resilient electrically heatable mats that could be positioned to cover the desired pathway and which included a control circuit for maintaining each of the electrically heatable mats at a temperature sufficient to melt snow falling on the mat as well as to prevent the formation of ice on the mat top surface. Because water, snow and sleet can be slippery, it would be further benefit to have an ice prevention mat system that included multiple resilient electrically heatable mats wherein the top surface of each matt included a non skid or slip coating on portions thereof as well as light assemblies along the borders to clearly identify the side edges of the mats. 
     GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF INVENTION 
     It is thus an object of the invention to provide an ice prevention mat system that includes multiple resilient heatable mats, multiple rigid plastic light assemblies, a radio transmitter remote control unit and a control/power circuit housing for housing a programmable control circuit, a radio receiver and a remote code set switch and in connection with two two-conductor light assembly sockets and one three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket; each of the multiple resilient heatable mats including a resilient pad member having a resistance heating element and a temperature sensor embedded therein and electrically connectable via a plug socket assembly and a jumper block for electrically linking the last resistance heating element into connection with a heat return conductor, a pair of light assembly receiving slots on opposed sides of the resilient pad member each having an open top and shaped to slidingly receive into an open slot end thereof one of the multiple rigid plastic light assemblies and prevent lateral removal of the rigid plastic light assembly through the open top, a number of drainage grooves formed into the bottom surface of the resilient pad member and a number of non-skid areas on the top surface of the resilient pad member between the pair of light assembly receiving slots; each of the multiple resilient pad members being reliable into a roll for storage when no rigid plastic light assemblies are positioned within the light assembly receiving slots thereof; the radio transmitter remote control unit transmitting activation and deactivation codes on a predetermined radio frequency in response to depression of a remote activation switch; the programmable control circuit being in electrical connection with the temperature sensor and the heating element through the three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket, a remote code set switch for allowing a user to select activation and deactivation codes, the radio receiver tuned to the predetermined radio frequency, and two of the light assemblies using the two two-conductor light assembly sockets; the programmable control circuit being programmed to monitor the radio receiver for activation and deactivation codes and to turn on the light outputs when a light activation signal is received and to turn off the light outputs when a deactivation signal is received; the programmable control circuit being further programmed to monitor a temperature signal generated by the temperature sensor when the on/off switch is in the on position and to activate the heat output when the temperature signal is below a threshold trigger temperature that is greater than the freezing temperature of water and to deactivate the heat output when the temperature signal is above the threshold trigger temperature. 
     Accordingly, an ice prevention mat system is provided. The ice prevention mat system includes multiple resilient heatable mats, multiple rigid plastic light assemblies, a radio transmitter remote control unit and a control/power circuit housing for housing a programmable control circuit, a radio receiver and a remote code set switch and in connection with two two-conductor light assembly sockets and one three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket; each of the multiple resilient heatable mats including a resilient pad member having a resistance heating element and a temperature sensor embedded therein and electrically connectable via a plug socket assembly and a jumper block for electrically linking the last resistance heating element into connection with a heat return conductor, a pair of light assembly receiving slots on opposed sides of the resilient pad member each having an open top and shaped to slidingly receive into an open slot end thereof one of the multiple rigid plastic light assemblies and prevent lateral removal of the rigid plastic light assembly through the open top, a number of drainage grooves formed into the bottom surface of the resilient pad member and a number of non-skid areas on the top surface of the resilient pad member between the pair of light assembly receiving slots; each of the multiple resilient pad members being rollable into a roll for storage when no rigid plastic light assemblies are positioned within the light assembly receiving slots thereof; the radio transmitter remote control unit transmitting activation and deactivation codes on a predetermined radio frequency in response to depression of a remote activation switch; the programmable control circuit being in electrical connection with the temperature sensor and the heating element through the three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket, a remote code set switch for allowing a user to select activation and deactivation codes, the radio receiver tuned to the predetermined radio frequency, and two of the light assemblies using the two two-conductor light assembly sockets; the programmable control circuit being programmed to monitor the radio receiver for activation and deactivation codes and to turn on the light outputs when a light activation signal is received and to turn off the light outputs when a deactivation signal is received; the programmable control circuit being further programmed to monitor a temperature signal generated by the temperature sensor when the on/off switch is in the on position and to activate the heat output when the temperature signal is below a threshold trigger temperature that is greater than the freezing temperature of water and to deactivate the heat output when the temperature signal is above the threshold trigger temperature. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the ice prevention mat system of the present invention showing one of the multiple resilient heatable mats, two of the multiple plastic light assemblies, a radio transmitter remote control unit and a control/power circuit housing for housing a programmable control circuit, a radio receiver and a remote code set switch and in connection with two two-conductor light assembly sockets and one three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket; each of the multiple resilient heatable mats including a resilient pad member having a resistance heating element and a temperature sensor embedded therein and electrically connectable via a plug socket assembly and a jumper block for electrically linking the final resistance heating element into connection with the heat return conductor, a pair of light assembly receiving slots on opposed sides of the resilient pad member, a number of drainage grooves formed into the bottom surface of the resilient pad member and a number of non-skid areas on the top surface of the resilient pad member between the pair of light assembly receiving slots; the radio transmitter remote control unit transmitting activation and deactivation codes on a predetermined radio frequency; the programmable control circuit being in electrical connection with the temperature sensor, a remote code set switch for allowing a user to select activation and deactivation codes and the radio receiver tuned to the predetermined radio frequency; the programmable control circuit being programmed to monitor the radio receiver for activation and deactivation codes and to turn on the light outputs when a light activation signal is received and to turn off the light outputs when a deactivation signal is received; the programmable control circuit being further programmed to monitor a temperature signal generated by the temperature sensor when the on/off switch is in the on position and to activate the heat output when the temperature signal is below a threshold trigger temperature and to deactivate the heat output when the temperature signal is above the threshold trigger temperature. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the programmable control circuit, the remote code set switch, the light outputs, the light returns, the heat output, the heat return, the two-position on/off switch, the temperature sensor, the radio receiver circuit and the remote control circuit including the remote activation switch. 
    
    
     EXEMPLARY MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the ice prevention mat system of the present invention, generally designated  10 . Ice prevention mat system  10  includes multiple identical, resilient heatable mats, generally designated  12 ; multiple plastic light assemblies, generally designated  14 ; a radio transmitter remote control unit, generally designated  16 ; and a control/power circuit housing, generally designated  18 , for housing, with reference now also to FIG. 2, a programmable control circuit, generally designated  20 ; a radio receiver circuit, generally designated  22 ; and a remote code set switch, generally designated  24 , and in connection with two two-conductor light assembly sockets  26  and one three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket  28 . 
     Each of the multiple resilient heatable mats  12  includes a resilient rubber pad member  30  having a resistance heating element  32 , a heater return line  34  and a temperature sensor  36  embedded therein and electrically connectable to control circuit  20  via plug blades  40 , 42 , 44 , respectively, with three-conductor heating element and temperature sensor socket  28 . The last heatable mat  12  has a jumper block  48  inserted into mat sockets  50 , 52  to complete the electrical circuit between the serially connected heating elements  32  and the serially connected heater return lines  34 . 
     Each resilient heatable mat  12  has a pair of T-cross sectional shaped light assembly receiving slots  56  on opposed sides  58  of resilient pad member  12 , a number of drainage grooves  60  formed into the bottom surface  62  of resilient pad member  12  and a number of non-skid areas  66  on a top surface  68  of resilient pad member  12  between the pair of light assembly receiving slots  56 . Each plastic light assembly  14  is T-shaped to fit into one of the T-cross sectional shaped light assembly receiving slots  56  and includes a number of high brightness LEDs  70  (light emitting diodes) spaced along the length thereof. 
     Radio transmitter remote control unit  16  transmits activation and deactivation codes on a predetermined radio frequency in response to depression of a remote activation switch  76 . Programmable control circuit  20  is turned on and off by a two-position on/off witch  78  and is in electrical connection with temperature sensor  36 , remote code set switch  24  for allowing a user to select activation and deactivation codes and the radio receiver  22  tuned to the predetermined radio frequency. The programmable control circuit  20  is programmed to monitor the radio receiver  22  for activation and deactivation codes and to turn on the light outputs  86  and light returns  88  when a light activation signal is received and to turn off the light outputs  86  and light returns  88  when a deactivation signal is received. Programmable control circuit  20  also being programmed to monitor a temperature signal generated by temperature sensor  36  when on/off switch  78  is in the on position and to activate the heat output  90  and heat return  92  when the temperature signal is below a threshold trigger temperature, in this case forty-five degrees Fahrenheit and to deactivate the heat output  90  and heat return  92  when the temperature signal is above the threshold trigger temperature. 
     It can be seen from the preceding description that an ice prevention mat system has been provided. 
     It is noted that the embodiment of the ice prevention mat system described herein in detail for exemplary purposes is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.