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Bianca BartzBianca Bartz
On: Oct 18, 07
4,210 Trends
2,800 Comments

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Heated Blades Edit

Thermablade To Revolutionize Hockey


Heated Blades
Thermablade To Revolutionize Hockey
Heated Blades - Thermablade To Revolutionize Hockey (VIDEO) 2
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Heated Blades - Thermablade To Revolutionize Hockey (VIDEO)
Thermablade To Revolutionize Hockey
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Thermablades, a unique new invention, could revolutionize the sport of hockey, making it a whole lot faster. The blades are heated by a small electric current, creating a thin layer between the skate and the ice that allows players to make tighter turns, smoother strides, and skate a whole lot faster, particularly, in when making quick starts.

“The Thermablade takes a traditional steel blade and connects it to a special plastic mold that contains a heating wire, microprocessor, and proximity sensor,” Krisabel said.

“When turned on, these will heat the blade to a consistent temperature of 5 C degrees, not hot enough to melt ice, but warm enough to increase the microscopic layer of water that exists between ice and steel. The company describes the effect as having a pair of mini Zambonis in front of your feet.”

Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is very excited about the idea. “I first heard about Thermablade because of my involvement with Team Canada-Hockey Canada. My first reaction was, ‘Where was that when I played?’”

The blades were created by Calgary inventor, Tory Weber. The inspiration came to him on a cold Alberta morning while he was a student working at a lumberyard. On his way out the door, he slipped on warm shoes he had left on the heater, and the second he stepped onto the ice, took a hard fall from the slip. Now he’s managed to convince even hockey legends like Gretzky that this could forever change the sport.

Compared to other gadgets on the market, Thermablade measures up fairly slickly. The electronics and the battery have both been encased inside their own protective housing to make them impact and water resistant (the same housing I’m told used in nightvision goggles). The battery is a lithium-ion polymer that is expected to last for 70 minutes per charge. To help extend battery life, the microprocessor and sensors are designed to detect changes in temperature and know when you are off the ice, so that it can enter stand-by mode when you’re on the bench. To prevent accidental powering on or off, the blades only kick in when activated through a proximity switch. When you press on both sides of the back heel at the same time, a little red light glows from within the blade indicating it’s been turned on, the same procedure is used to turn it off. (krisabel.ctv)

References: krisabel.ctv

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Totally cool! I wonder if this gives any advantage to goalies?

By: Michael Plishka on Oct 13, 08   103 Trends   26 Comments
Favorited by Michael Plishka on Oct 13, 08
@Michael: I think not, since goalies just stand around. This will help the speedsters.

By: Going Like Sixty on Oct 13, 08   2,884 Trends   1,499 Comments
The more I'm pondering this I can see positives and negatives here. First (as a goalie speaking here) we do not just "stand around." However, while lateral movements might be more difficult or not receive benefit from this, control when getting up, or in quick turns, might be helped by this...

By: Michael Plishka on Oct 13, 08   103 Trends   26 Comments

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