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An outdoor-use heating mat system includes at least one heating mat. At least one heating mat of the system includes a first structural layer, a heating element, a plurality of intermediate strips, a second structural layer, and at least one of a cord and a plug. The first and second structural laye

An outdoor-use heating mat system includes at least one heating mat. At least one heating mat of the system includes a first structural layer, a heating element, a plurality of intermediate strips, a second structural layer, and at least one of a cord and a plug. The first and second structural layers each are both durable and electrically insulating. The first such layer has a plurality of first layer edges associated therewith. The heating element positioned above the first structural layer. The plurality of intermediate strips are mounted upon the first structural layer. Each intermediate strip is positioned proximate at least one of one the first layer edge and the heating element. The second structural layer is mounted to the plurality of intermediate strips opposite the first structural layer.

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1. An outdoor-use heating mat system, said heating mat system including at least one heating mat, at least one said heating mat comprising:a first structural layer, said first structural layer being both durable and electrically insulating, said first structural layer having a plurality of first lay

1. An outdoor-use heating mat system, said heating mat system including at least one heating mat, at least one said heating mat comprising:a first structural layer, said first structural layer being both durable and electrically insulating, said first structural layer having a plurality of first layer edges associated therewith, said first structural layer having a first layer face; a heating element positioned adjacent said first layer face; a plurality of intermediate strips mounted adjacent said first layer face, each said intermediate strip being positioned proximate at least one of one said first layer edge and said heating element; at least one of said plurality of intermediate strips being configured to define at least in part a respective bearing support structure; a second structural layer, said second structural layer being both durable and electrically insulating, said second structural layer being fixed relative to said plurality of intermediate strips opposite said first layer face, said first structural layer, said intermediate strips, and said second structural layer, together, forming a element enclosure for said heating element; and at least one of a cord and a plug electrically connected to said heating element, said at least one of a cord and a plug extending outside of said element enclosure. 2. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first structural layer, said second structural layer, and one said intermediate strip is composed of an elastomeric material.3. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 2, wherein said elastomeric material is a rubber material.4. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein said first structural layer, said intermediate strips, and said second structural layer, together in combination, are configured for withstanding at least one of foot traffic and motor vehicle traffic.5. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first structural layer and said second structural layer is provided with a non-skid surface, each said non-skid surface facing away from said intermediate strips.6. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein said heating element is capable of sufficiently heating each of said first structural layer and said second structural layer so as to both induce melting of any snow or ice accumulation on either of said first structural layer and said second structural layer and prevent freezing of any moisture accumulating thereon.7. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein said heating element is self-regulating.8. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein said heating element is disposed in a pattern relative to said first structural layer and said second structural layer, said pattern being chosen so as promote a substantially even distribution of heat across at least one of said first structural layer and said second structural layer.9. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 8, wherein said pattern effectively includes a series of wiring lines, at least one said intermediate strip being positioned between an otherwise adjacent pair of wiring lines.10. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein said intermediate strips are approximately uniform in thickness, said second structural layer thereby being held substantially parallel to said first structural layer via said intermediate strips.11. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein said intermediate strips and said heating element together define an intermediate level of a given said heating mat, said intermediate strips and said heating element together occupying substantially all of the available space within said intermediate level.12. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein one of said first structural layer and said second structural layer forms an upper-facing layer, said upper-facing layer being exposed to atmospheric elements, said outdoor-use heating mat system further comprising:a heat-conductive layer positioned adjacent said upper-facing layer, said heat-conductive layer being substantially located within said element enclosure. 13. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein said heating mat system is comprised of a plurality of said heating mats, said heating mats each being electrically connected to at least one of a power source and another said heating mat.14. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein said heating mats are arranged in a pattern and affixed to at least one of a plurality of steps, a sidewalk, a driveway, a bridge, and a walkway structure.15. An outdoor-use heating mat, comprising:a base structural layer having a plurality of base layer edges; a heating element positioned above said base structural layer; at least one intermediate strip mounted to said base structural layer, each said intermediate strip being positioned proximate at least one of one said base layer edge and said heating element; at least one of said at least one intermediate strip being configured to define at least in part a respective bearing support structure; a traffic-exposed structural layer mounted to said at least one intermediate strip opposite said base structural layer and above said heating element; and at least one of a cord and a plug electrically connected to said heating element. 16. The outdoor-use heating mat of claim 15, wherein said base structural layer, said at least one intermediate strip, and said traffic-exposed structural layer, together, form an element enclosure for said heating element, said at least one of a cord and a plug extending outside of said element enclosure.17. The outdoor-use heating mat of claim 15, wherein said base structural layer, said at least one intermediate strip, and said traffic-exposed structural layer, together, are configured for withstanding at least one of foot traffic and motor vehicle traffic.18. The outdoor-use heating mat of claim 15, further comprising at least one additional heating element and a temperature controller, said heating mat thereby having a plurality of said heating elements, said temperature controller being individually and separately connected to each said heating element, said temperature controller thereby being able to separately at least one of activate and control each said heating element.19. The outdoor-use heating mat of claim 18, wherein said temperature controller is configured for activating a selected number of said heating elements, said selected number of said heating elements corresponding to a particular heating setting for said heating mat.20. An outdoor-use heating mat, comprising:a traffic-exposed structural layer having a plurality of layer edges, said traffic-exposed layer having a first traffic-exposed face and a second ground-directed face; a heating element fixedly positioned adjacent said second ground-directed face of said traffic-exposed structural layer; a plurality of intermediate strips mounted fixedly proximate and relative to said second ground-directed face of said traffic-exposed structural layer, each said intermediate strip being positioned proximate at least one of one said layer edge and said heating element; at least one of said plurality of intermediate strips being configured to define at least in part a respective bearing support structure; and at least one of a cord and a plug electrically connected to said heating element. 21. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of intermediate strips being configured in a substantially non-overlapping relationship relative to said heating element.22. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of intermediate strips being suitably dimensioned and arranged relative to said heating element to define a respective bearing support surface being closer to said first structural layer than said heating element or being at a substantially equivalent distance away from said first structural layer as said heating element.23. The outdoor-use heating mat of claim 15, wherein at least one of said at least one intermediate strip being configured in a substantially non-overlapping relationship relative to said heating element.24. The outdoor-use heating mat of claim 15, wherein at least one of said at least one intermediate strip being suitably dimensioned and arranged relative to said heating element to define a respective bearing support surface being closer to said traffic-exposed structural layer than said heating element or being at a substantially equivalent distance away from said traffic-exposed structural layer as said heating element.25. The outdoor-use heating mat of claim 20, wherein at least one of said plurality of intermediate strips being configured in a substantially non-overlapping relationship relative to said heating element.26. The outdoor-use heating mat system of claim 20, wherein at least one of said plurality of intermediate strips being suitably dimensioned and arranged relative to said heating element to define a respective bearing support surface being closer to said traffic-exposed structural layer than said heating element or being at a substantially equivalent distance away from said traffic-exposed structural layer as said heating element.