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A hidden heat strip for providing heat at the edge of a roof to prevent formation of ice. Each heat strip comprises a plurality of triangular-shaped assemblies having a heat cable inserted from under the assemblies and positioned adjacent to a notched front panel. Support clips extend from a bottom

A hidden heat strip for providing heat at the edge of a roof to prevent formation of ice. Each heat strip comprises a plurality of triangular-shaped assemblies having a heat cable inserted from under the assemblies and positioned adjacent to a notched front panel. Support clips extend from a bottom portion and a vented top panel is disposed above the heat cable. Spaced-apart reinforcement ribs are located between side panels of the assemblies to support shingles and prevent sagging. The heat strip is placed between rows of shingles and is not easily observed from the ground level.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A heat strip for preventing ice build-up on a roof comprising:an enclosure having a triangular-shape for easy insertion under a shingle on the roof; a heat cable positioned within said enclosure; a front panel of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart open notches for heated air to

1. A heat strip for preventing ice build-up on a roof comprising:an enclosure having a triangular-shape for easy insertion under a shingle on the roof; a heat cable positioned within said enclosure; a front panel of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart open notches for heated air to escape; and a top surface of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart slots vents. 2. The heat strip as recited in claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs spaced-apart between a first end panel and a second end panel to provide support.3. The heat strip as recited in claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a support clip protruding from a bottom surface of said enclosure.4. The heat strip as recited in claim 2 wherein said enclosure comprises means for retaining the heat cable within said enclosure.5. The heat strip as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for retaining said heat cable comprises an opening in each of said first end panel, said second end panel and said plurality of reinforcement ribs for inserting and holding said heat cable.6. The heat strip as recited in claim 1 wherein a controller is connected to said heat cable of said heat strip for turning ON and turning OFF said heat cable in response to predetermined signals from an outside temperature sensor.7. The heat strip as recited in claim 6 wherein said controller comprises a display for indicating the temperature within said enclosure, said temperature being measured by a temperature sensor coupled to said controller and positioned in said enclosure.8. A heat strip for preventing ice build-up on a roof comprising:a triangular-shaped enclosure having a bottom portion, a front panel, a top panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, said front panel having a plurality of spaced-apart notches and said top panel having a plurality of spaced-apart slots; a plurality of reinforcement ribs spaced-apart between said first end panel and the second end panel to provide support for said triangular-shaped enclosure; a heat cable positioned within said enclosure; and each of said first end panel, said second end panel and said plurality of reinforcement ribs comprises an opening for receiving said heat cable. 9. The heat strip as recited in claim 8 wherein said triangular-shaped enclosure comprises a support clip extending from said bottom portion of said enclosure.10. The heat strip as recited in claim 8 wherein said opening for receiving said cable comprises a first narrow portion for said cable to enter and a second wider portion for holding said cable.11. The heat strip as recited in claim 8 wherein a controller is connected to said heat cable of said heat strip for turning ON and turning OFF said heat cable in response to predetermined signals from an outside temperature sensor.12. The heat strip as recited in claim 11 wherein said controller comprises a display for indicating the temperature within said enclosure, said temperature being measured by a temperature sensor coupled to said controller and positioned in said enclosure.13. Apparatus for preventing formation of ice on a lower portion of a roof comprising:a plurality of rows of heat strips inserted under corresponding rows of shingles on said roof; each of said rows of heat strips comprises a plurality of enclosures, positioned side-by-side, each of said enclosures, having a bottom portion, a front panel, a top panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, said front panel having a plurality of spaced-apart notches and said top panel having a plurality of spaced-apart slots; each of said enclosures comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs spaced-apart between said first end panel and said second end panel to provide support for said enclosures; and a heat cable, positioned within each of said plurality of enclosures and extending along each of said rows of heat strips, for supplying heat to melt said ice. 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said enclosures comprises means for receiving said heat cable and retaining said heat cable adjacent to said front panel of each of said enclosures.15. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said enclosures comprises a triangular-shape, and a support clip extends from said bottom portion of said enclosures.16. The heat strip as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said first end panel, said second end panel, and said plurality of reinforcement ribs comprises an opening for receiving said heat cable.17. The heat strip as recited in claim 16 wherein said opening for receiving said cable comprises a first narrow portion for said cable to enter and a second wider portion for holding said cable.18. The heat strip as recited in claim 13 wherein a controller is connected to said heat cable of said heat strip for turning ON and turning OFF said heat cable in response to predetermined signals from an outside temperature sensor.19. The heat strip as recited in claim 18 wherein said controller comprises a display for indicating the temperature within said enclosure, said temperature being measured by a temperature sensor coupled to said controller and positioned in said enclosure.20. A method of preventing formation of ice on a lower portion of a roof comprising the steps of:inserting a plurality of rows of heat strips under corresponding rows of shingles on said roof; providing along each of said rows of heat strips a plurality of enclosures, positioned side-by-side, having a bottom portion, a front panel, a top panel, a first end panel and a second end panel, said front panel having a plurality of spaced-apart notches and said top panel having a plurality of spaced-apart slots; providing support for said enclosures with a plurality of reinforcement ribs spaced-apart between said first end panel and said second end panel; and positioning a heat cable within each of said plurality of enclosures along each of said plurality of rows of heat strips, for supplying heat to melt said ice. 21. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein said step of providing said enclosures along each of said plurality of rows of heat strips comprises the step of providing means to receive said heat cable and retaining said heat cable adjacent to said front panel of each of said enclosures.22. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein said method comprises the step of providing a support clip extending from said bottom portion of each of said enclosures.23. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein each said step of providing said enclosures having said first end panel, said second end panel, and said plurality of reinforcement ribs comprises the step of providing an opening to receive said heat cable.24. The method as recited in claim 23 wherein said step of providing an opening to receive said heat cable comprises the step of providing said opening with a first narrow portion for said heat cable to enter and a second wider portion for holding said heat cable.25. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein said method comprises the step of providing said enclosures with a triangular-shape for easy insertion under said shingles on said roof.26. The method as recited in claim 20 wherein said method comprises the step of controlling the operation of said heat strip by turning ON and turning OFF said heat strip in response to predetermined signals from an outside temperature sensor.27. The method as recited in claim 26 wherein said method comprises the step of measuring a temperature within said enclosure, and displaying said temperature on a display.28. An enclosure for a heat strip comprising:a bottom surface; a front wall having a plurality of spaced-apart notches; a top surface having a plurality of spaced-apart slots, a front edge of said top surface being attached to a top portion of said front wall, a rear edge of said top surface being attached to said rear edge of said bottom surface; a first end panel and a second end panel, each positioned between said top surface and said bottom surface; and a plurality of reinforcement ribs spaced-apart between said first end panel and said second end panel to provide support between said top surface and said bottom surface. 29. The enclosure as recited in claim 28 wherein said enclosure comprises a support clip extending from said bottom surface.30. The enclosure as recited in claim 28 wherein each of said first end panel, said second end panel and said plurality of reinforcement ribs comprises means for retaining a heat cable within said enclosure.31. The enclosure as recited in claim 30 wherein said means for retaining a heat cable within said enclosure comprises an opening having a first narrow portion for said heat cable to enter and a second wider portion for holding said heat cable.32. A heat strip for preventing ice build-up on a roof comprising:an enclosure having a predetermined shape for easy insertion under a shingle on the roof; said enclosure comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs spaced-apart between a first end panel and a second end panel to provide support; a heat cable positioned within said enclosure; a front panel of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart notches; and a top surface of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart slots. 33. The heat strip as recited in claim 32 wherein said predetermined shape for said enclosure comprises a triangular shape for easy insertion under a shingle.34. The heat strip as recited in claim 32 wherein said enclosure comprises a support clip protruding from a bottom surface of said enclosure.35. The heat strip as recited in claim 32 wherein said enclosure comprises means for retaining the heat cable within said enclosure.36. The heat strip as recited in claim 35 wherein said means for retaining said heat cable comprises an opening in each of said first end panel, said second end panel and said plurality of reinforcement ribs for inserting and holding said heat cable.37. The heat strip as recited in claim 32 wherein a controller is connected to said heat cable of said heat strip for turning ON and turning OFF said heat cable in response to predetermined signals from an outside first temperature sensor.38. The heat strip as recited in claim 37 wherein said controller comprises a display for indicating the temperature within said enclosure, said temperature being measured by a second temperature sensor coupled to said controller and positioned in said enclosure.39. A heat strip for preventing ice build-up on a roof comprising:an enclosure having a triangular shape for easy insertion under a shingle on the roof; a heat cable positioned within said enclosure; a front panel of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart notches; and a top surface of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart slots. 40. The heat strip as recited in claim 39 wherein said enclosure comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs spaced-apart between a first end panel and a second end panel to provide support.41. The heat strip as recited in claim 39 wherein said enclosure comprises a support clip protruding from a bottom surface of said enclosure.42. The heat strip as recited in claim 40 wherein said enclosure comprises means for retaining the heat cable within said enclosure.43. The heat strip as recited in claim 42 wherein said means for retaining said heat cable comprises an opening in each of said first end panel, said second end panel and said plurality of reinforcement ribs for inserting and holding said heat cable.44. The heat strip as recited in claim 39 wherein a controller is connected to said heat cable of said heat strip for turning ON and turning OFF said heat cable in response to predetermined signals from an outside first temperature sensor.45. The heat strip as recited in claim 44 wherein said controller comprises a display for indicating the temperature within said enclosure, said temperature being measured by a second temperature sensor coupled to said controller and positioned in said enclosure.46. A heat strip for preventing ice build-up on a roof compnsing:an enclosure having a predetermined shape for easy insertion under a shingle on the roof; a heat cable positioned within said enclosure; a front panel of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart notches; a top surface of said enclosure comprises a plurality of spaced-apart slots; and a support clip, said support clip protrudes from a bottom surface of said enclosure. 47. The heat strip as recited in claim 46 wherein said enclosure comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs spaced-apart between a first end panel and a second end panel to provide support.48. The heat strip as recited in claim 46 wherein said predetermined shape for said enclosure comprises a triangular shape for easy insertion under a shingle.49. The heat strip as recited in claim 47 wherein said enclosure comprises means for retaining the heat cable within said enclosure.50. The heat strip as recited in claim 49 wherein said means for retaining said heat cable comprises an opening in each of said first end panel, said second end panel, and said plurality of reinforcement ribs for inserting and holding said heat cable.51. The heat strip as recited in claim 46 wherein a controller is connected to said heat cable of said heat strip for turning ON and turning OFF said heat cable in response to predetermined signals from an outside temperature sensor.52. The heat strip as recited in claim 51 wherein said controller comprises a display for indicating the temperature within said enclosure, said temperature being measured by a temperature sensor coupled to said controller and positioned in said enclosure.