US2014291310A1PendingUtilityA1

Warming device

45
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 28, 2013Filed: Mar 26, 2014Published: Oct 2, 2014
Est. expiryMar 28, 2033(~6.7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Anthony M. Iannelli
E04D 13/0762E04D 13/103
45
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

An elongated warming device may be used to prevent snow and ice buildup and accumulation on the roof or on steps. The device comprises a flat deck, a U-shaped bracket, and a self-regulating heat cable. The device is metal. The flat deck has two long ends and two faces, wherein the first long end is a free edge. The U-shaped bracket comprises two sides, a back, and a tab. The two sides and the back form a channel, where the opening for the channel is between the ends of the two sides. The end of one side of the U-shaped bracket extends inwards towards the opening of the channel to form the tab, which holds the heat cable in the channel. The U-shaped bracket is attached to the second long end of the flat deck. The heat cable is in the channel of the U-shaped bracket.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An elongated warming device comprising a flat deck, a U-shaped bracket, and a self-regulating heat cable; wherein the device is metal,
 wherein the flat deck has two long ends and two faces, wherein the first long end is a free edge,   wherein the U-shaped bracket comprises two sides, a back, and a tab, where the two sides and the back form a channel, where the opening for the channel is between the ends of the two sides; the end of one side of the U-shaped bracket extends inwards towards the opening of the channel to form the tab, which holds the heat cable in the channel,   the U-shaped bracket is attached to the second long end of the flat deck so that the opening of the channel is open towards the flat deck,   wherein the heat cable is in the channel of the U-shaped bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured so that it may be installed under any row of shingles. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured so that it may be installed in the valley of a roof. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flat deck comprises holes close to the first long end, to allow fasteners to attach the flat deck to the roof. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the flat deck and the side of the U-shaped bracket attached to the flat deck is about 45° or more. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the flat deck and the side of the U-shaped bracket attached to the flat deck is about 90°. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one side of the U-shaped bracket is co-planar with the flat deck. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the side of the U-shaped bracket opposite to the tab has an elongated bump. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one face of the flat deck has a rough surface texture. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device is configured so it may be installed on a step. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein one side of the U-shaped bracket is co-planar with the flat deck. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first long end of the flat deck is bent at approximately 90 degrees to the flat deck so the first long end extends toward the face of the flat deck that is opposite to that of the U-shaped bracket. 
     
     
         13 . A method for melting ice or snow from a roof comprising the steps of:
 installing an elongated warming device on a roof, and   sending electricity to a heat cable in the elongated warming device;   wherein the elongated warming device comprising a flat deck, a U-shaped bracket, and the heat cable; wherein the device is metal,   wherein the flat deck has two long ends and two faces, wherein the first long end is a free edge,   wherein the U-shaped bracket comprises two sides, a back, and a tab, where the two sides and the back form a channel, where the opening for the channel is between the ends of the two sides; the end of one side of the U-shaped bracket extends inwards towards the opening of the channel to form the tab, which holds the heat cable in the channel,   the U-shaped bracket is attached to the second long end of the flat deck so that the opening of the channel is open towards the flat deck,   wherein the heat cable is in the channel of the U-shaped bracket.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the flat deck is installed under a row of shingles. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the device is installed in the valley of a roof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the flat deck comprises holes close to the first long end, to allow fasteners to attach the flat deck to the roof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein one side of the U-shaped bracket is co-planar with the flat deck. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the side of the U-shaped bracket opposite to the tab has an elongated bump.

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