Like a built in socket version of one those retractable plugs in vacuum cleaners. The whole assembly is built into the wall or behind the wall (with enough seperation of the cable to avoid heat build up). The user only can see a normal power outlet until they need that bit of extra reach, they pull out enough cable to do the trick and when finished press some button to retract it.
-- ljanz, Jan 26 2005

Extend-A-Cord http://www.thegadgetbox.com/i143-c11
[krelnik, Jan 26 2005]

Extension Socket http://web.archive..../Extension_20Socket
The lost idea I mentioned, from the Internet Archive [krelnik, Jan 26 2005]

Baked
"Extend-A-Cord"
"A semi-finalist in Hammacher Schlemmer’s annual Search for Invention, the Extend-A-Cord turns a single outlet into a safe, convenient power source for up to four electrical devices. Three outlets are built into the plug-in wall box; the fourth is on a power cord that can be extended six feet, then retracted at the touch of a button."

It's kind of cool that an invention so similar to yours won a prize like that.

"For more information about Hammacher Schlemmer’s Search for Invention competition, visit our web site at www.hammacher.com and click on “About Us.”
-- robinism, Jan 26 2005


Could have sworn we did this idea before, but maybe the author deleted it because it was baked.
-- krelnik, Jan 26 2005


We have. Too bad it's gone - I liked it.
-- Worldgineer, Jan 26 2005


Update, I found it in the Internet Archive, it may have been missed during the recent data recovery. Link has been sent to bakesperson for potential recovery.
-- krelnik, Jan 26 2005


Fair enough... well baked, grilled and charbroiled. I admit defeat.
-- ljanz, Jan 26 2005


Doesn't mean it's a bad idea. In fact, it's a great one.
-- Worldgineer, Jan 26 2005


Quite so. I know I've had my share of ideas that turned out to already have been posted. In fact, I list them on my profile page.
-- krelnik, Jan 27 2005



random, halfbakery