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  annie

  13 years ago

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  My dad invented something like this 40 years ago. He never pursued getting it produced, but I have some of his prototypes.
  ~a

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  Mike

  13 years ago

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  All great comments. Thanks for the feedback.
  A few insights:
  Regarding electricity through the coil - Our product will be tested to UL requirements. If this is an issue, which we do not believe it is, we won't have certification and will not ship.
  Regarding grounding - The screw acts as the ground eliminating need for the third prong. This is how electrical adaptors work. A proven method borrowed from an older product.
  Regarding Shape and Form: As we all know this is very subjective. We wanted to keep the overall size to a minimum. Circular shapes do lend themselves better for winding but will increase the overall size. We chose to integrate the device into the surrounding environment by keeping the traditional form. As you can see in the video it works quite well.
  
  Thank you for your comments and please keep posting.
  
  Regards,
  
  Mike

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  Matt

  13 years ago

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  I too have always been told that running power through a coiled cord causes a number of issues. It's acceptable for low level voltage and current (such as the output of a 12V transformer) however when a power cord is carrying a high voltage it heats up during use. When coiled in close proximity the surface area exposed for cooling by the air is limited so there is a rick of over heating.
  
  I think the previous comments are right - it would need earth pins. I'd also suggest that it really needs a rear flange to the cable run area as if the retaining screw is not used then there is risk of the whole unit coming away from the wall slightly and the wound cable sliding between the wall plate and the unit - possibly even making contact with the prongs.
  
  I also have a solution that I'd like to suggest. In the video the 1st adapter is for the radio, while the other is a charger for a mobile phone. Here's the crazy concept - when you're not using the charger.... take it out of the wall socket, wind the cable round it and put it away! Voila - cables hidden! I appreciate that some chargers have got quite advanced these days but leaving one perminently in the wall socket, and effectively "on", will surely consume a small amount of power. Not huge as there is no load on the transformer but enough to be environmentally unfriendly.

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  slippyfish

  13 years ago

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  Hey - skeuomorphic form factor, right? Form relating to outdated requirements, used simply as a method of helping people understand what they are seeing...?

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  Nermal

  13 years ago

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  Ben, according to the video the screw does provide ground.
  
  I think this is a mistake. People are likely to use this without screwing it in, and it's very easy to do so -- just plug it in, no screwdriver required! Now you've broken the ground connection. Too easy to misuse and therefore dangerous.
  
  Adding a ground prong wouldn't change the outer appearance but it would make the product a lot safer.

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  slippyfish

  13 years ago

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  Why the rectangular form factor? Its a molded part, and doesn't have to be similar to the outlet plate shape. The outlet plates are rectangular because its easier to cut a rectangular hole in the drywall with a knife. But wouldn't a rounded product shape allow for easier wrapping of cables? Also, adding a little slot or two for holding the cable at the right length would cost nothing. Finally, its hard to see this working for my main mess of cables, which are computer/monitor/printer ones, each about .25" thick. A couple of missed opportunities, but its good to see designers promote stuff on Kickstarter.

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  Ben

  13 years ago

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  Where are the ground prongs? How can you produce a product that has a ground socket to plug into, but nothing that grounds into the proper electrical system?
  Maybe the attachment screw serves as a ground, or maybe the production model includes grounds, but from what I see, it does not meet code and could not be manufactured legally.
  
  I really like the idea though!

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  Tom Chavara

  13 years ago

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  Just yesterday I attended a talk with Allan Chochinov where he presented us with the idea of "Near Miss". It was a great presentation, finally someone not only promoting good purposeful design but reminding us that good isn't enough! I just feel as it this is another near miss, and someone needs to call it out.

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  benatrodd

  13 years ago

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  Check out the 'outlet' on the Bose iPod Dock......

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  Koraldo

  13 years ago

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  Doesn't winding cables that way lead to damage and in turn shorter lifespan/more production/more waste?

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  Kenneth Lee

  13 years ago

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  It will be complete if add 1 or 2 usb outlet!

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