Modular heated platform

Abstract

A platform to be arranged adjacent to another platform to collectively form a heated walkway that minimizes the formation of ice on a surface of the walkway that is exposed to a sub-freezing environment. The platform includes an outermost surface to be exposed to the sub-freezing environment for providing traction for pedestrians walking on the platform, and a heating element for generating thermal energy to be transmitted to the outermost surface for minimizing the formation of ice on the outermost surface. A fastener is also provided for coupling the platform to a compatible feature of an adjacent platform to collectively form a walkway, and an electrical conductor delivers electric energy to the heating element and conducts electric energy from an external energy source to an adjacent platform.

1 . A platform to be arranged adjacent to another platform to collectively form a heated walkway that minimizes the formation of ice on a surface of the walkway that is exposed to a sub-freezing environment, the platform comprising: 
 an outermost surface to be exposed to the sub-freezing environment for providing traction for pedestrians walking on the platform;    a heating element for generating thermal energy to be transmitted to the outermost surface for minimizing the formation of ice on the outermost surface;    a fastener for coupling the platform to a compatible feature of an adjacent platform to collectively form a walkway; and    an electrical conductor for delivering electric energy to the heating element and conducting electric energy from an external energy source to an adjacent platform.    
   
   
       2 . The platform according to  claim 1  further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature indicative of whether ice is likely to form on the surface of the tread that is to be exposed to the sub-freezing environment.  
   
   
       3 . The platform according to  claim 2 , wherein the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is a temperature of the surface of the tread that is to be exposed to the sub-freezing environment.  
   
   
       4 . The platform according to  claim 2  further comprising a thermostat for controlling operation of the heating element as a function of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.  
   
   
       5 . The platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is integrated within the tread.  
   
   
       6 . The platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is an electric, resistive heating element.  
   
   
       7 . The platform according to  claim 1  further comprising a connector that cooperates with a compatible connector provided to an external energy source upon placement of the platform adjacent to the external energy source.  
   
   
       8 . The platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating element and electrical conductor are integrated within the platform, thereby forming a modular platform that can be replaced as a unit.  
   
   
       9 . The platform according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform is formed into at least one of a sidewalk, a ramp, and a stair.  
   
   
       10 . A heated walkway for minimizing the formation of ice on a surface of the walkway to be exposed to a sub-freezing environment and upon which pedestrians can walk, the walkway comprising a first platform and second a second platform, wherein the first platform comprises: 
 a first heating element for generating thermal energy to be transmitted to the surface of the walkway for minimizing the formation of ice on the surface;    a fastener for coupling the first platform to the second platform to maintain the position of the first platform relative to the second platform; and    an electrical conductor for delivering electric energy to the first heating element and conducting electric energy between an external energy source and the second platform;    and wherein the second platform comprises:    a second heating element for generating thermal energy to be transmitted to the surface of the walkway for minimizing the formation of ice on the surface;    a second fastener that is compatible with the first fastener; and    an electrical conductor for delivering electric energy to the second heating element and conducting electric energy between the first platform and a third platform.    
   
   
       11 . The walkway according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second platforms each further comprise electrical contacts that engage each other upon positioning the first platform adjacent to the second platform to conduct electric energy between the first and second platforms.  
   
   
       12 . The walkway according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first platform and the second platform further comprises a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature indicative of whether ice is likely to form on the surface of the walkway that is to be exposed to the sub-freezing environment.