Snow removal system capable of melting snow

Abstract

A portable electric snow/ice melter has adjustable legs whereby it can be easily used to melt snow and/or ice of varying depths.

1 . A snow/ice melter comprising: 
 A) a housing having 
 (1) a first surface that is a top surface when the housing is in use,  
 (2) a second surface that is a bottom surface when the housing is in use,  
 (3) a thickness dimension which extends between the first surface and the second surface,  
 (4) a first end which is a forward end when the housing is in use,  
 (5) a second end which is a rear end when the housing is in use,  
 (6) a top element removably mounted on the housing, and  
 (7) an interior chamber defined in the housing;  
   B) a heating unit on the housing, the heating unit including 
 (1) an electrical heater located on the bottom surface of the housing,  
 (2) a power transformer located in the interior chamber and electrically connected to the electrical heater, and  
 (3) a power cord electrically connected to the power transformer and adapted to be electrically connected to a utility power source;  
   C) a handle having one end connected to the housing and having a hand grip element on a second end;    D) a heating unit control system which includes 
 (1) an on/off switch located on the first end of the housing and electrically connected to the heating unit,  
 (2) a power level adjustment switch located on the first end of the housing and which is electrically connected to the heating unit, and  
   (3) a power cord attachment unit on the first end of the housing and which is electrically connected to the heating unit;    E) four adjustable legs mounted on the housing, each leg including 
 (1) a first portion fixed to the housing,  
 (2) a second portion that is telescopingly connected to the first portion,  
 (3) set pin holes defined through the first portion and through the second portion, and  
 (4) a set pin which fits through the set pin holes to couple the second portion to the first portion;  
   F) two wheels rotatably mounted on the second portion of two of the adjustable legs, respectively; and    G) a power cord holder mounted on the first end of the housing.    
   
   
       2 . A snow/ice melter comprising: 
 A) a housing, the housing having a bottom surface, a forward end, and a rear end;    B) an electrical heater located on the bottom surface of the housing,    C) a handle having one end connected to the rear end of the housing and having a hand grip element on a second end;    E) four adjustable legs mounted on the forward and rear ends of the housing, each leg including 
 (1) a first portion fixed to the housing,  
 (2) a second portion that is telescopingly connected to the first portion,  
 (3) set pin holes defined through the first portion and through the second portion, and  
 (4) a set pin which fits through the set pin holes to couple the second portion to the first portion; and  
   F) two wheels rotatably mounted on the second portion of two of the four adjustable legs on the forward end of the housing, and no wheels on the two of the four adjustable legs on the rear end of the housing.