CA2482519C

CA2482519C - Walkway system

Info

Publication number: CA2482519C
Application number: CA 2482519
Authority: CA
Inventors: Robert M. Weber; Teresa L. Weber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-24
Filing date: 2004-09-24
Publication date: 2007-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-24
Also published as: CA2482519A1

Abstract

A walkway system for providing a non-slip walkway path for users. The walkway system includes a plurality of trays each having bottom and side walls with the trays being embedded in a ground surface; and also includes a plurality of walk-upon cover members being removably and securely locked upon the trays and being disposed upon the ground surface;
and further includes a light assembly being disposed upon the trays; and also includes a heating assembly being disposed upon the trays for preventing ice from accumulating upon the walk-upon covers.

Description

_1_ Title: WALKWAY SYSTEM
I=ieid of the invention (0001] The present invention relates to walkways and more particularly pertains to a new walkway system for providing a non-slip walkway path for users.
Background of the invention [0002] The use of walkways is known in the prior art. More specifically, walkways heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Summary of the invention [0003] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new walkway system which has many of the advantages of the walkways mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new walkway system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or evE:n implied by any of the prior art walkways, either alone or in any combination thereof. The present invention includes a plurality of trays each having bottom and side walls with the trays being embedded in a ground surface; and also includes a plurality of walk-upon cover members being removably arid securely locked upon the trays and being disposed upon the ground surface; and further includes a light assembly being disposed upon the trays; and also includes a heating assembly being disposed upon the trays for preventing ice from accumulating upon the walk-upon covers. None of the prior ai~t includes the combination of the elements of the present invention.

[0004] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the walkway system in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0005] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new walkway system which has many of the advantages of the walkways mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new walkway system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art walkways, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0007] Stiff another object of the present invention is to provide a new walkway system for providing a non-slip walkway path for users.

[0008] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new walkway system that is easy and convenient to set up and use.

(0009] Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new walkway system that is safer to walk upon than conventional cement slabs.

[0010] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Brief descriation of the drawings [0011] The invention will be better understood and objects ofiher than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new walkway system according to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a tray and cover of the walkway system of Figure 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a tray and cover made in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an advanced embodiment of a tray and cover made in accordance with the present invention.
[001G] FIG, 5 is a schematic diagram of a master control unit made in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed descriation of the invention [0017] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, a new walkway system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
[0018] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, a first embodiment of the the walkway system 10 generally comprises a plurality of preferably interconnected trays 11 being arranged to form a walkway, each tray 11 having bottom and side walls 12,13 with the trays 11 being embedded in a ground surface 30.
[0019] Each of the trays 11 also includes a rim 14,15 being integrally disposed along a top edge of the side walls 13. The rim 14,15 has a first portion 14 which is disposed inwardly of the tray 11 and disposed generally parallel to the bottom wall 12. The rim 14,15 al:>o has a second portion 15 which is disposed upwardly of the tray 11 and disposed generally parallel to the side walls 12. Each of the trays 11 further includes at least one hole 16 being disposed through one of the side walls 13 thereof.
[0020 A plurality of walk-upon cover members 17 are removably and securely locked upon the trays 11 and are disposed above the ground surface 30. Each of the walk-upon cover members 17 includes top and side walls 18,19 with the side walls 19 interlocking with the second portion 15 of a respective rim 14,15. Preferably a seal made of rubber or other suitable material is provided between the side walls 19 and the vertical rim portion 15, to reduce the possibility of water leaking into the interior of the trays 11.
The top wall 18 has a non-slip top surface and also has a particular pattern disposed upon the non-slip top surface. The trays 11 and the walk-upon cover members 17 are made of sufficiently resilient plastic material, and the walk upon cover members 17 are also transparent.
[0021 A light assembly is disposed upon the trays 11. The light assembly includes a plurality of light-emitting members 20 being spacedly and securely disposed upon the bottom walls 12 of the trays 11. Electrical wires 21 are also provided which connect the light-emitting members 20 to a power supply typically in the form of a power cord 22 being disposed through the hole 16 of the trays 11. Pressure-sensitive switches 23 are spacedly and securely disposed in the trays 11 and being securely connected to the electrical wires 21 for energizing the light-emitting members 20 when a user walks thereupon. A timer switch 24 is preferably provided and operatively coupled to the power supply 22 and to the switches, for turning off the light-emitting members 20 after a pre-determined period of time.
[0022] A heating assembly is securely disposed upon the trays 11 for preventing ice from accumulating upon the walk-upon cover members 17. The heating assembly includes a plurality of tubular support members 25 being securely disposed upon the bottom walls 12 of the trays 11, and also includes heating elements 26 being securely attached to the tubular support members 25, and further includes wire members 31 being securely attached to the heating elements 26 and being adapted to be connected to a power supply for the energizing of the heating elements 26. Each of the heating elements 26 is a bar having an elongate main portion 27 and angled end portions 28,29 which are securely disposed in the tubular support members 25.
[0023 In a more advanced embodiment, shown as 10' in Figure 4, preferably, a controller 60, such as a suitably programmed central processing unit (CPU), is also provided (and which may replace the timer switch 24).
The controller 60 is operatively coupled to the power supply 22 and to the heating elements 26 and to the light emitting members 20. The controller 60 may also include a rheostat (not shown) or similar mechanism for controlling the power supply provided to the heating elements 26. The controller 60 is preferably suitably programmed to regulate the power supplied to the heating elements 26 and to the light emitting members 20 in accordance with control signals it receives. Preferably one or more support members 65 may also be mounted to the bottom wall 12 of the tray 11 for providing structural support to the cover 17 when the cover 17 is stepped on by a user.
[0024 Means for interconnecting trays 11, for supplying power, and preferably for sharing control signals as well, are also provided. At least one port 70 is preferably provided which is electrically coupled to both the controller 60 and the power supply cord 22. The port 70 is designed to operatively engage the plug end of a power supply cord 22 from an adjacent tray 11. As will be understood, a rubber sleeve or other sealing means should be provided to minimize the possibility of ground water interacting with the electrical connection between the plug end of tine power supply cord 22 and the port 70 of an adjacent tray 11.
[0025] Preferably, too, the power cord 22 is adapted for transmitting control signals to and from the controllers 60. While control signals may be sent along the same copper cable transmitting the electrical power, alternatively, this may involve the addition of at least one control wire to the power cord 22 for transmitting control signals.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, a master control unit 90 may be provided, which includes a suitably programmed master controller (CPU) 92, a power cord 22 and a port 70. The master control unit 90 will preferably include control switches 94 or knobs which are operatively coupled to the master controller 92, and generate appropriate control signals to allow a user to turn on all of the light emitting elements 20 in the walkway 10 until switched off, or for a desired period of time, or on and off at pre-set times of the day.
Corresponding light control signals are then appropriately transmitted by the master controller 92 to other controllers 60 in the walkway 10'. The control switches or knobs 94 will also preferably be configured to generate control signals corresponding to desired regulation of the heating elements 26. The master controller 92 transmits corresponding heating control signals through the power cord 22, to each of the controllers 60 in the walkway 10'.
[0027] With the first embodiment of the walkway 10, in use, the user connects the power cord 22 to an electrical outlet for energizing the light-emitting members 20, and also connects the wire members 31 to a thermostat for energizing the heating elements 26 when a certain temperature is reached as set by the thermostat. The light-emitting members 20 are turned on when a user steps upon the walk-upon cover member 17 and upon the pressure-sensitive switches 23. The light-emitting members 20 illuminate the walk-upon cover members 17 so that the user can easily see where helshe is walking.
After a period of time, the timer switch 24 wiill turn off the light-emitting members 20.
[0028] With the more advanced embodiment of the walkway 10', a series of trays 11 may be electrically coupled together, the plug end of a power cord 22 from one tray 11, being inserted into the port 70 of an adjacent tray 11, with a master control unit 90 connected at one end of the series. The cord 22 from the master control unit may then be connected to an electrical outlet for supplying power to the series of trays 11. In use, a user may manipulate the control switches 94, causing the master controller 92 to generate corresponding control signals. These control signals are then 7 _ transmitted to each of the controllers 60 in the walkway system 10, appropriately causing the light emitting members 20 to emit light andlor causing the heating elements 26 to generate heat.
[0029, As well, when a person steps onto the upper surface 18 of one of the tray covers 17, this will be detected by one or more of the switches 23 for that tray 11. A corresponding control signal will be received by the controller 60 from the switches) 23 for that tray 11. The controller 60 will generate a corresponding control signal which will be transmitted through the cords 22 in the series of trays 11 to each of the controllers 60 and to the master controller 90. The controllers 60 may then cause their corresponding light emitting members 20 to emit light, thereby lighting up the entire pathway 10, for a pre-determined period of time.
[0030 As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0031, With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0032, Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the walkway system. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to thase skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A walkway system comprising:
(a) a plurality of trays being arranged to form a walkway and each having bottom and side walls, said trays being embedded in a ground surface;
(b) a plurality of walk-upon cover members being removably and securely locked upon said trays and being disposed above the ground surface;
(c) a light assembly being disposed upon said trays; and (d) a heating assembly being disposed upon said trays for preventing ice from accumulating upon said walk-upon cover members.

2. The walkway system as described in claim 1, wherein each of said trays also includes a rim being disposed along a atop edge of said side walls, said rim having a first portion which is disposed inwardly of said tray and disposed generally parallel to said bottom wall, said rim also having a second portion which is disposed upwardly of said tray and disposed generally parallel to said side walls.

3. The walkway system as described in claim 2, wherein each of said trays further includes a hole being disposed through one of said side walls thereof.

4. The walkway system as described in claim 3, wherein each of said walk-upon cover members includes top and side walls, said side walls interlocking with said second portion of a respective said rim, said top wall having a non-slip top surface and also having a particular pattern disposed upon said non-slip top surface.

5. The walkway system as described in claim 4, wherein said trays and said walk-upon cover members are made of plastic material, said walk-upon cover members also being transparent.

6. The walkway system as described in claim 5, wherein said light assembly includes a plurality of light-emitting members being spacedly and securely disposed upon said bottom walls of said trays, and also includes electrical wires being connected to said light-emitting members, and further includes a power cord being connected to said electrical wires and being disposed through said holes of said trays, and also includes pressure-sensitive switches being spacedly disposed in said trays and being connected to said electrical wires for energizing said light-emitting members upon a user walking upon said walk-upon cover members, and further includes a timer switch being disposed inline of said power cord for turning off said light-emitting members after a selected period of time.

7. The walkway system as described in claim 6, wherein said heating assembly includes a plurality of tubular support members being disposed upon said bottom walls of said trays, and also includes heating elements being attached to said tubular support members, and further includes wire members being attached to said heating elements and being adapted to be connected to a power supply for the energizing of said heating elements.

8. The walkway system as described in claim 7, wherein each of said heating elements is a bar having an elongate main portion and angled end portions which are disposed in said tubular support members.