Patent ID: 6855915

Claim:
An outdoor-use heating mat system, said heating mat system including at least one heating mat, at least one said heating mat comprising: a first structural layer, said first structural layer being both durable and electrically insulating, said first structural layer having a plurality of first layer edges associated therewith, said first structural layer having a first layer face; a heating element positioned adjacent said first layer face; a plurality of intermediate strips mounted adjacent said first layer face, each said intermediate strip being positioned proximate at least one of one said first layer edge and said heating element; at least one of said plurality of intermediate strips being configured to define at least in part a respective bearing support structure; a second structural layer, said second structural layer being both durable and electrically insulating, said second structural layer being fixed relative to said plurality of intermediate strips opposite said first layer face, said first structural layer, said intermediate strips, and said second structural layer, together, forming a element enclosure for said heating element; and at least one of a cord and a plug electrically connected to said heating element, said at least one of a cord and a plug extending outside of said element enclosure.