Any Inventors Here? I Need Your Help!
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
United States
March 7, 2007 11:46am CST
It's starting to snow here again. Even though it hasn't snowed that much this year, I'm tired of shoveling snow, putting salt down and cranking up the snow blower.
There has to be a better way. My idea is for someone to invent a thin, waterproof and durable heated pad, that you can just roll out on your driveway and sidewalk before the snow storm hits.
All you would have to do is plug it in and set the thermometer to a temperature that melts the snow and keep your driveway and sidewalk safe.
Just imagine never having to buy a shovel, salt or gas for your snowblower again. It would be a more efficient and safe alternative.
Why do you think no one has ever marketed something like this?
I love the snow, but hate shoveling it.
What do you think?
Lloyd
3 people like this
4 responses
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
7 Mar 07
I have a 1000 foot driveway and I have thought about getting a flame thrower. I thought that a skating lane would be much better than gettting hung up on a snow drift. What do you think?
Wish there was an easier way to get that white stuff off where we walk and drive. Maybe we will both need to get a snow blower, not sure that that will be in my budget though paying the plow service.
Good luck with this one.
3 people like this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Oh Willowlady,
Your post just had hubby & I in hysterics. Thanks for the belly laugh.
Our driveway is about as long as yours and we seriously dread heavy snowfalls.
Lloyd- I think you may be on to something here. Why don't you invent it and become a millionaire mogul?
1 person likes this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
9 Mar 07
Glad you and hubby got a laugh. I might just start looking into it. If I manufacture it in China, I'd get a good deal.
You and hubby will be the first to get an invite to purchase stocks.
Lloyd
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
7 Mar 07
You sound just like my husband! There is a way to melt the snow from the driveway or walkway. You install pipes under the walkway or driveway and this is heated by warm water running through the pipes. He also said we could build a cover over the walkway that leads to the cars and also to build a covering for the cars. Last year he enclosed the porch. This solved the problem of having to shovel off the porch. Now for the steps that lead to the porch, the walkway that leads to the steps, and the area around the cars! : )
3 people like this
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
7 Mar 07
Your husband is the "Man". Between the two of us, we might be able to conquer the snow monster. lol
I'd have to post 10,000 comments a day here at MyLot to afford the installations of heated pipes under my driveway and sidewalk.
Between the driveway and sidewalks, it has to be about 300 yards. That's a lot of pipes to install and a lot of concrete to dig up.
If I hit the lottery, I'll install mine and yours.
Lloyd
2 people like this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
8 Mar 07
For starter... I was horrified when I read your suggestion.
Do you have any idea how much electric power you would need to keep your driveway and sidewalk warm in that sort of weather...
If everyone in America wanted to use your idea... you would need to build an extra 50 nuclear power plants.
And you would not be able to afford your electricity bill.
Besides that... the only thing I can think about... would be to dig up your driveway and sidewalk... line it with 1 inche steel pipes... 4 inches apart... and cover the lot with concrete. You then run boiling water through the pipes. You get your water from the biggest hot water system you can buy on the market. You might consider one working on natural gaz rather than electricity.
As you can see... the installation will be fairly costly. And the sidewalk does not belong to you... so you would need permission from your local council. It makes the cost of your shovel, salt and gas look very cheap in comparaison.
The other solution... is to pack your suitcase and go live somewhere where it does not snow.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I really don't think you would need that much electric power since all you would have to do is get the temperature above freezing. 32% F.
And it's not like it would be on 24 hours a day. Just enough to melt the snow.
Packing and moving is not an option and I've already said that tearing up the sidewalks is off limits.
America leads the world in research and developement. I'm sure they could find a solution without having to build 50 nuclear plants.
Thanks for your opinion though.
Lloyd
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
8 Mar 07
You could also buy yourself a bobcat and start your own business as "The snowman".
When you finish clearing your driveway... you hire your service to all the people who don't like having to shovel snow.
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
8 Mar 07
The heat required would depend on how fast you want the snow to melt. 32 degres would do nothing if you had a foot of snow on your driveway. The sun would melt it faster.
@uniquesoul (230)
• Canada
8 Mar 07
A snow heating pad LOL it ain't funny I ain't laughing at u LOL...I know how it feels to be messin with snow it get's very cold here and we even experienced a blizzard this year but I don't let the lil thing's bother me I wish I had money to invent something I would make u a snow heating pad to make ur life easyer LOL well think of it this way while u are annoyed pullin out the snowblower at least it ain't water ur dealing with.. I think that would be worse... Good LUCK with the snow Lloyd
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
8 Mar 07
You are right. Things could be worst. But I'm tired of dealing with this snow. If you do invent a "snow heating pad", please let me know and I'll be your first customer. lol
Thanks.
Lloyd
