Reinventing the Great British Plug?

gjrc said:
why is it not practical? is folding out so hard to do?

:confused:
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It's not hard, just tedious.

Imagine you're in a hotel room working on your laptop and you're late for your flight. You'd pull the plug straight out, you're certainly not going to fiddle about folding it down.
 
I'd be worried about their technical know-how, since they used blue for live and red for neutral in their diagram, what else may they have got wrong?
 
Ross1234 said:
if we switch to these, how do transformers fit in? We would still need big sockets for them.
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Squark said:
Yea, I noticed that too, still need the big transformer plugs, which are the big problem anyway.
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The idea is to change the plugs, not the sockets, that would be an impossible task. The idea is to make a new plug which works with existing sockets and also in folded mode to plug into a multi-tap brick demonstrated near the end.

A transformer plug could be made like the USB charger demonstrated at the end, taking up 2 slots.
 
That's prety good.

What we really need though is a change of socket. we use so many sockets and putting 10 together takes up a huge amount of room. Using a socket that would take that design unfolded would be awesome. But it would never happen.
 
I think its a great idea, just wondering why they would go to the lengths to create this kind of Viral demo, rather than just get a working prototype knocked up and get it on Dragons Den, or, directly into manufacturers.
 
norm said:
It's not hard, just tedious.

Imagine you're in a hotel room working on your laptop and you're late for your flight. You'd pull the plug straight out, you're certainly not going to fiddle about folding it down.
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Tedious? Hardly. It's not exaclty a labour to do.

I like the idea, lets see if it takes off.
 
bibalasvegas said:
Fantastic idea. I think the multiple plugs in one socket might be unsafe though...
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why?

I think that's it's best feature.

If they made this and made it so you can wire on old appliances. I would buy them by the bucket fall. But it looks liek it will be a solid injection moulding. Meaning you can't fit it yourself. Massive over sight heir. If that is the case.
 
AcidHell2 said:
why?

I think that's it's best feature.

If they made this and made it so you can wire on old appliances. I would buy them by the bucket fall. But it looks liek it will be a solid injection moulding. Meaning you can't fit it yourself. Massive over sight heir. If that is the case.
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Obviously at this stage it's all in design and this would more than likely be an issue raised by anyone willing to invest.

If this design was to come into real application, the chances are they would allow you to buy them in bulk to fit them to current appliances etc. Just have some sort of "snap off" or hinged side to it allowing you to get to the wires.
 
AcidHell2 said:
If they made this and made it so you can wire on old appliances. I would buy them by the bucket fall. But it looks liek it will be a solid injection moulding. Meaning you can't fit it yourself. Massive over sight heir. If that is the case.
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Obviously it's in its very early stages, if they have half a brain (which they clearly do by designing something so clever) they will develop a type that screws together for retrofitting old appliances.

Like you, if they made it so you could retrofit, i would go out and buy a dozen tomorrow if i could.
 
I'm not sure if I like the fuse being so near the outside, but if they prove to be safe then I don't see why it wouldn't do well for small things like chargers...

I still thing bigger things will use normal plugs, and I prefer powercons overall as they lock in place.
 
Excellent idea, the only issue I can see is it would be nice to retrofit them to existing some appliances. However most portable electronics like laptops or chargers have an extension that plugs into a transformer block using either an IEC C5/C6 or C7/C8 connector, in this case you could just buy a replacement cable with the new moulded plug on the end.

Heat really wouldn't be an issue as most portable devices aren't high current.
 
Looks quite good, but will the L & N pins work off wiper contacts? Not sure I like the sound of that really. 240V 13A though a wiper may have issues.
 
RandomTom said:
After having watched this video, I can't see the downsides to this in any way shape or form. It may be slightly flimsier but you don't exactly go and tear plugs to shreds for fun. Here's the concept video:


What a solid invention / reinvention, are there any reasons why, with a good prototype built in that these can't prosper? What do you think?

Especially the surge protector type device, that'd be a godsend!

There are simpler fold-in plugs already available - http://www.slimplug.com/how.html but they're pretty damn expensive, but worth it if you're always lugging your laptop around with you in my opinion.

I know it's only a plug, but what do you think? & are there any reinventions you'd like to see to become a staple in the UK home?


Note: not a youtube thread, thread simply accompanied by video.
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That has to be the most boring presentation of a concept i've ever listened to. Great for putting people to sleep.

Thing is why they put 3 pin plugs on laptop blocks anyway? They run perfectly well with just the two bottom pins.

The advantage of european style dual phasing instead of the 2 and earth of the UK.

my laptop plug is already much thinner than even their design.
 
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