Collapsible walkway cover system

Abstract

A walkway cover system for covering a walkway to prevent snow and ice from accumulating thereon. The walkway cover system includes a collapsible walkway cover unit comprising a frame including a series of relatively rigid frame members, a series of flexible battens operatively connecting the frame members, and a cover member of a flexible sheet material. Each of the frame members forms a continuous loop including an elongated, straight base portion provided to extend substantially transverse the walkway and a slanted top portion disposed opposite the base portion. The cover member is attached to the frame so as to cover the slanted top portions of the frame members and form an enclosed passage through the frame. The collapsible walkway cover unit is convertible between an expanded operative state provided to be placed over the walkway and a collapsible state provided for storing when not in use.

1 . A walkway cover system for covering a walkway to prevent snow and ice from accumulating thereon, said walkway cover system comprising a collapsible walkway cover unit, said collapsible walkway cover unit comprising:
 a frame including a series of relatively rigid frame members each of said series of said frame members forming a continuous loop including an elongated, straight base portion provided to extend substantially transverse said walkway and a slanted top portion disposed opposite said base portion;   a series of flexible battens operatively connecting said frame members; and   a cover member of a flexible sheet material attached to said frame so as to cover at least said slanted top portions of said frame members and form an enclosed passage through said frame;   said collapsible walkway cover unit having axially opposite first and second distal ends so that a first frame member of said frame members defines said first distal end and a last of said frame members defines said second distal end;   said collapsible walkway cover unit being convertible between an expanded operative state provided to be placed over said walkway and a collapsible state provided for storing when not in use.   
   
   
       2 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame members are moveable in parallel relationship to each other so as to collapse said walkway cover unit in said collapsible state or deploy said walkway cover unit over said walkway in said expanded operative state. 
   
   
       3 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said cover member is attached to said frame so as to form a continuously enclosed tubular passage through said collapsible walkway cover unit. 
   
   
       4 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said cover member is made of a fabric material. 
   
   
       5 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said cover member is removably fastened to said frame members of said frame. 
   
   
       6 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said cover member is adhesively bonded to said frame members of said frame. 
   
   
       7 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said walkway cover unit is provided with at least one tie-down for securing said walkway cover unit on said walkway. 
   
   
       8 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said at least one tie-down is in the form of at least one enclosure for receiving a weight element therein for pulling said walkway cover unit down toward said walkway by a force of gravity of said weight element when said walkway cover unit is placed on said walkway. 
   
   
       9 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said at least one enclosure is in the form of a side pocket attached to said cover member. 
   
   
       10 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said walkway cover unit is provided with at least one handle to allow lifting said walkway cover unit. 
   
   
       11 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said walkway cover unit is provided with at least two handles provided on opposite sides thereof to allow lifting said walkway cover unit. 
   
   
       12 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said at least one handle is attached to said cover member. 
   
   
       13 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said walkway cover unit further comprises a first end flap provided at said first distal end of said walkway cover unit and a second end flap provided at said second distal end of said walkway cover unit to prevent snow and ice from entering said enclosed passage. 
   
   
       14 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said walkway cover unit further comprises a first fastening member provided at said first distal end of said walkway cover unit and a second fastening member provided at said second distal end of said walkway cover unit; one of said first fastening member and said second fastening member is provided for detachably fastening said walkway cover unit to an additional walkway cover unit substantially structurally identical to said walkway cover unit. 
   
   
       15 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said first fastening member is a male fastening member and said second fastening member is a female fastening member complementary to said male fastening member. 
   
   
       16 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , farther comprising an additional collapsible walkway cover unit structurally identical to said collapsible walkway cover unit; each of said collapsible walkway cover units further comprising:
 a first fastening member provided at said first distal end of said walkway cover unit and a second fastening member provided at said second distal end of said walkway cover unit;   said first fastening member of one of said walkway cover units is complementary to said second fastening member of the other of said walkway cover units and said second fastening member of one of said walkway cover units is complementary to said first fastening member of the other of said walkway cover units.   
   
   
       17 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said walkway cover unit is removably attachable to said additional walkway cover unit through one of said first fastening member of said walkway cover unit and said second fastening member of said additional walkway cover unit and said second fastening member of said walkway cover unit and said first fastening member of said additional walkway cover unit. 
   
   
       18 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said first fastening member is a male fastening member and said second fastening member is a female fastening member complementary to said male fastening member. 
   
   
       19 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said male fastening member is a hook strap and said female fastening member is a loop strip of a mating hook and loop type fastening system. 
   
   
       20 . The walkway cover system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said walkway cover unit further comprises at least one binding strap provided at one of said first and second distal ends thereof, said at least one binding strap is provided for securing said walkway cover unit in said collapsible state thereof.