Electricially heated hinged mat

Claim 1

An electric snow tarpaulin for preventing snow accumulation on an outdoor surface comprising: a) a sheet consisting of a generally rectangular flexible waterproof mat of lightweight rubber material conformable to and covering an outdoor surface to be protected from a snowfall; b) means comprising a flexible elongated heating element extending through and sealed within said sheet for producing heat to melt any snow falling thereon to keep said outdoor surface free of snow, said heating element being an electrically operated heater wire having a serpentine configuration; and c) said mat divided into a plurality of segments to permit said mat to be folded up when not in use, a plurality of hinges formed into said mat between adjacent segments of said mat, and said heater wire divided into a plurality of portions with each portion located in each said segment of said mat, each of said hinges comprising a plurality of interlocking flat knuckles formed from said rubber material of said mat, the heater wire in each said segment having mating portions and a plurality of fingers with each finger extending into a flat knuckle, and an electrical conductive pintle extending transversely through said interlocking flat knuckles and said fingers to electrically interconnect said mating portions of said heater wire together.