Abstract: A compact portable device energizable from a motor vehicle battery for thawing frozen motor vehicle door locks includes an electrically heated thawing stick sized for insertion into the keyhole of a frozen lock. The stick comprises a hollow metal body enclosing a resistance wire. One end of the wire is connected to the stip of the metal body and the other end is connected to an elongated cable terminating in a plug insertable into an electrical socket on the vehicle connected to the vehicle battery. The thawing stick is secured to a hollow protective case modeled in the form of a flat key end and provided with a key ring. The case has an open narrow side through which the cable can be inserted for storage within the case during non-use periods and the stick is pivoted for movement from a non-use position covering the open side of the case to an extended use position.

Abstract: A battery operated portable thawing device for frozen locks has an electrically heated thawing stick sized for insertion into the key hole of a frozen lock. The stick is thinner than the lock key and comprises a hollow metal body inside which is located a thin resistance heating wire. The resistance wire is located between the middle and the end of the stick inserted into the keyhole in a relatively short length (20-30%) of the thawing stick. For use, the stick is slidable out of a protective housing adapted to be gripped in the hand. The housing carries a battery for energizing the stick and a light bulb for illuminating the keyhole. The metal body of the stick serves as one terminal for supplying current to the resistance wire. The circuit between the battery and resistance wire made automatically made when the stick is moved out of the housing for use and broken when the stick is returned into the housing.