Patent Application
20090050617
This invention is in the field of sidewalk safety in times of subzero weather conditions and in particular using mats to lie on the ground to melt any snow that falls on them or ice that forms on them.
The absence of frictional resistance when a body comes in contact with snow or ice is well known. It is this phenomenon that makes skiing and ice skating such enjoyable sports. On the other hand, it is the same phenomenon that can cause much pain and suffering to those unfortunate individuals who slip and fall in subzero weather. The injuries thereby caused range from light bruises to, for example, serious fractures of the hips.
This invention could be used by individuals in their private property and equally by local authorities on a larger scale to make for example, sidewalks or steps safe during the winter.
Another use could be on steps or sloping paths as they are particularly hazardous when snow falls or ice forms.
A common solution to this problem is to sprinkle salt over the area and the resulting salt solution will usually stay liquid. This is because a saline solution freezes at a lower temperature than pure water. Most solutions will have this effect. Salt is used as it is relatively inexpensive and readily available. The greater the concentration the saline solution, the lower the freezing point of the resultant liquid.
There are a number of disadvantages of sprinkling salt, namely, that it requires much labor to constantly renew the supply of salt. When a sprinkling of salt has melted, the salt solution usually runs away and the salt needs to be replaced to prevent ice reforming.
Another disadvantage is that the salt solution can cause damage to plant life and also can cause corrosion to metal when metal and the solution are in contact for prolonged periods.
A third disadvantage is that in very cold climates the usual amount of salt used for melting will not make a solution sufficiently concentrated to melt the snow and ice and large additional quantities of salt will need to be used. This will accentuate the problems above mentioned of damage to plant life and metal corrosion the cost of the salt and the time and manpower to spread the salt over large areas repeatedly.
This invention comes to provide a solution for those who wish to make a safe surface for walking where snow falls and ice forms, for example, on steps, paths, sidewalks and larger areas.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview, or framework, for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.
This invention uses module mats wired for use with low voltage electricity and offering an electrical resistance to create a slight warming effect when electricity flows through the wires. The mats can be any convenient size and could be attachable and detachable one to the other with ease thereby enabling flexibility to fit a wide variety of surfaces required to be covered. For example, a long narrow mat could be used on steps. The mats are attachable one to the other for the purpose of making a unified and complete surface for walking upon and for the purpose of making the electrical connection from one mat to the other.
A transformer could be used to reduce the voltage from the mains alternate current to for example, twelve volt direct current. This would be necessary to eliminate the danger of electrification resulting from direct contact between the electric wires, the melting snow or ice, and the person walking on the said mats. The transformer would preferably be adjustable to accommodate the need to use different currents of electricity to be effective to operate with varyious quantities of mats.
An object of this invention is to have mats on the ground so that people can walk in a steady and sure footed manner on the mats even in icy weather conditions.
Another object of this invention is to heat the said mats or part of them with a safe form of electricity.
Another object of this invention is for the heated mats to be attachable and detachable without using special instruments. This connection is for the purpose of holding the mats physically together to form one unified surface for safe walking. Another purpose of this connection is to make an electrical connection between the mats.
Another object of this invention is for the mats to be in modular form so that they can fit many different sized surfaces.
Another object of this invention is that mats may be added to existing mats and maintain a complete electrical circuit.
Similarly, mats may be removed from the circuit and the electrical circuit remains complete.
Another object of this invention is for the mats to be fitted vertically against the vertical part of a step or against a wall to prevent snow and ice forming on such surfaces. There would be a possibility of a ninety degree angle physical and electrical connection with mats on a horizontal surface. This invention would have a particularly useful application on steps as they are particularly hazardous when covered in ice or snow and a fall on stairs often has more serious consequences than a fall on flat ground.
Another object of this invention is to have an option to switch on the heating elements or a portion of the only when someone steps on the mats. This could be a weight sensitive sensor or an electronic eye. This could be used to save electricity when the mats are not used for an extended amount of time. Alternatively the electricity could be made to switch on when the weight of the snow and ice reaches a certain weight. This would save electricity when the snow is intermittent. A narrow strip of mats could have their heating elements working all the time to ensure there is an ice free path. The rest of the mats could have their heating elements switched on when people begin to tread on the mats. A time switch could be used to turn on the electricity at a certain time each day shortly before the time it is known that people start using the mats. The option used would depend on the situation in the field and the needs of the people affected.
Another object of this invention is to have electrical wires and connections hardy enough to withstand heavy weights on them.
Another object of this invention is to have a smooth and non-slip walkable surface for use in subzero temperatures, free from snow and ice.
Another object of this invention is to have lights embedded in the said mats to demark the edge of the mat and/or for aesthetic purposes.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain, by way of example only, the principles of the invention:
As will be appreciated the present invention is capable of other and different embodiments than those discussed above and described in more detail below, and its several details are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings and description of the embodiments set forth below are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
The source of electricity could be from the mains electricity of the house 124 using a transformer to lower the voltage to a harmless level. The mats 100 are various sizes and fit into each other to make a physical and electrical connection.
A weight sensitive device 158 could be used to switch on the 20 electricity when a certain weight of snow or ice has accumulated and switch off the electricity a set time after the weight falls to zero grams. Alternatively, a time clock could operate the electricity before the times people are expected to use the mats and switch the electricity off at times when people are unlikely to be present.
There would be connecting pins 160 to enable the mats to be electrically connected. The electrical circuit would be completed with the end piece 162.
