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HOLY MOLY am I in love with this design concept: the Rambler Socket from designer Meysam Movahedi has 1.5 meters (almost 5 feet) of extension cord that can be stored inside your wall. When you need to use it for something like drying your hair or vacuuming across the room, you just open it up and plug in — and when you’re finished, back in the wall the cord goes! Here’s more info:
Rambler Socket maybe the solution most of us are looking for as far as extension cords are concerned. … Here’s why Rambler Socket will knock your socks off. It’s this 1.5 meters cord that unfurls from a cavity behind its socket. When you don’t need extensions, it’s neatly tucked away. When you need it, simply pinch the sides and wind it out.
After the deed is done, you simply give the wire a gentle tug (activates a spring mechanism), and it recoils back into place. Ideal for using with electronics like vacuum cleaners, hair driers etc where you don’t need extension cords on a full-time basis.
You can see more photos at Yanko Design!
Do they have this for the outlet styles in America?
I just scrolled through the comments on the original post and it doesn’t seem like it.
That’s too bad, because this looks totally awesome. Everyone should have this. It should come installed in homes!
Is it just me, or does something seem really unsafe about this? There is no ground or GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter)and there are moving parts that are not in full view for regular inspection. Cool idea though!
I also think there is something in the NEC about not using extension cables so “permanently.”
Check the comments on the original post about the concept (and yes, it’s just a design concept — not an actual product).
My first thought was how thick would the wall need to be for this to fit back in there? I guess it depends on how it’s coiled, etc. And there’d have to be some sort of automatic coiler in the wall, so that would be always tugging back.
A lot of problems, but that’s how theoretical products go, I guess. 😛 Still, I’m pretty sure this is in every home IN THE YEAR THREE THOUSANNNNND.
I love the idea, and I think it could work; it’s the same basic mechanism as for old fashioned rolling windowshades. There would have to be an additional layer of some kind of strong, tension-resistant material around or inside the cord so that when you’re extending it, there’s less pressure on the actual conductive wires. (Less risk stress and breakage) The other design gap (As I see it) is literal: While in use, there would be open space in the wall with which pets (especially cats) would become obsessed. (Cat owners: You know it.) So some sort of silicone flap/valve would have to be in place behind the plug in order to keep that space closed off.