Device to melt ice and snow in a roof valley

• US 6,348,673 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2001
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael A. Winters
• Original Assignee: Michael A. Winters
• Inventors: Winters, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAIK, SANG YEOP
• Application Number:
  US09/777,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20010032834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 219/213, 219/214, 219/528, 219/544, 219/546, 219/547, 219/548, 219/552, 219/553, 392/435, 392/436
• US Class Current: 219/213
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/0445 Drainage channels
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/103 De-icing devices or snow melters for drainage outlets E04D13/0409, for gutters E04D13/0762, for down pipes E04D13/08
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 2013/0454 at the intersection of roof surfaces, e.g. roof valleys
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/00 Ohmic-resistance heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/28 heating conductor embedded in insulating material

Abstract

A heated roof valley device for melting ice and snow accumulating on a roof valley including a generally “V”-shaped lower casing and a corresponding “V”-shaped cover positioned in spaced-apart relation to the lower casing. An electrical heating element positioned in the space between the lower casing and the cover, and a moisture sealing device for preventing moisture in the roof valley from entering the space between the lower casing and the cover.

Claims

1. A heated roof valley device for melting ice and snow accumulating on a generally “

V”

-shaped roof valley comprising;

a generally open top “

V”

-shaped lower casing means for nesting in the roof valley;

a corresponding open top “

V”

-shaped cover positioned in spaced-apart relation to the lower casing;

an electrical heating element positioned in the space between the lower casing and the cover; and

a moisture sealing device for preventing moisture in the roof valley from entering the space between the lower casing and the cover.

2. A heated roof valley device for melting ice and snow accumulating on a generally “

V”

-shaped roof valley with a centerline, the roof valley provided with a valley drain member having lateral edges comprising;

a generally “

V”

-shaped lower casing and a corresponding “

V”

-shaped cover positioned in spaced-apart relation to the lower casing;

an electrical heating element positioned in the space between the lower casing and the cover;

the lower casing at each lateral edge thereof having a squared “

U”

terminal portion bending back on itself with a leg extending toward the centerline of the “

V”

-shaped roof valley and wherein each lateral edge of the valley cover is shaped to have an upright “

S”

configuration with a lower opening extending toward the centerline of the roof valley and an upper opening extending away from the centerline of the roof valley;

wherein the inwardly extending leg of the lower casing extends into the upper opening of the “

S”

-shaped edge of the cover;

wherein the lower opening of the “

S”

-shaped edge of the cover is sized to receive the lateral edges of the valley drain member; and

an electrical conduit means for directing electrical energy to the electrical heating mat.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the electrical heating element includes a heating mat extending substantially across the entire width of the device.

4. The device according to claim 2 wherein the lower casing and cover are constructed of metal.