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thingCHARGER lets users charge devices without blocking outlets or running wire

thingCHARGER lets users charge devices without blocking outlets or running wire
thingCHARGER allows users to charge devices without having wires all over the place
thingCHARGER allows users to charge devices without having wires all over the place
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thingCHARGER side-by-side with a typical charging setup
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thingCHARGER side-by-side with a typical charging setup
Two USB ports are on the bottom, for those times when users need to charge extra devices
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Two USB ports are on the bottom, for those times when users need to charge extra devices
thingCHARGER features a power button to conserve energy
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thingCHARGER features a power button to conserve energy
thingCHARGER allows users to charge devices without having wires all over the place
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thingCHARGER allows users to charge devices without having wires all over the place
thingCHARGER in use in a wall
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thingCHARGER in use in a wall
thingCHARGER works with any double three-prong outlet
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thingCHARGER works with any double three-prong outlet
thingCHARGER in use charging an eReader
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thingCHARGER in use charging an eReader
thingCHARGERs can be stocked for charging multiple devices
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thingCHARGERs can be stocked for charging multiple devices
The final thingCHARGER will be UL certified for safety
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The final thingCHARGER will be UL certified for safety
View gallery - 9 images

Almost everyone has multiple devices that require charging. A new product called thingCHARGER aims to make the process a little easier and neater, as it goes right over an existing outlet, and docks various devices on top for easy charging.

The core design of thingCHARGER is very simple. It plugs in over an existing outlet, leaving the plugs usable, and features top-mounted charging tips that allow the user to charge their phone, tablet, reader, or other device. The tips are stored inside of the charger, and can be swapped when needed. Basically, it's like having a dock right on a wall outlet.

On the bottom of thingCHARGER are two USB ports, so if a situation arises where one needs to charge many devices at a time, it's still possible to do so without taking up the main power outlets.

thingCHARGERs can be stocked for charging multiple devices
thingCHARGERs can be stocked for charging multiple devices

An interesting aspect of the design is that the chargers can stack, so a user could plug three into one outlet and then dock three different devices at the same time. When done, it looks way cleaner than it would with three different charger cables sticking out of the wall at once.

To save power, the main outlets are on at all times, but the two USB ports and the tip on the top of the thingCHARGER are only on when a user hits the power button on the side.

For the time being, the device is only available with the North American outlet design and voltage, but the team has promised that once it has shipped these units, it will begin work on designs for other countries.

The thingCHARGER team is seeking funding for its design on Indiegogo. It started with a very modest US$25,000 goal, and it has exceeded that with two weeks still remaining in its funding period. The base amount for a backer to receive a charger is $29, but the company is also offering packages where buyers can get free thingCHARGERs with purchases of two or more.

The pitch video below provides more information on thingCHARGER and shows it in action.

Sources: thingCHARGER, Indiegogo

View gallery - 9 images
4 comments
4 comments
Vincent Bevort
Looks promising. I am waiting for the European market version.
When charging a Tablet it will probably need an extra support to hold the tablet to prevent it from tipping over and damaging the USB port on either of the devices
bergamot69
I don't know much about American specification mains socket outlets, but if they are anything like British double sockets then the spacing between the individual outlets varies from brand to brand by anything up to around 50-60mm (however they must all fit standard back box measurements albeit of varying depths).
Therefore, if this is also true of US wall outlets then this product won't fit all of them, and there is no provision to adjust the distance between the two socket pin sets then there could be some very disappointed customers.
Its also not good practice to stack multiple AC outlets, even if you are not actually multiplying mains voltage outlets.
Seymour Segnit
bergamot69 - as you say, you aren't familiar with US outlets, which DO have standard distance between outlets, and countless other products use the same system of two sets of pins.
You also make a broad statement 'it is not good practice to stack multiple AC outlets'. This is of course true in general as most are not designed to be stacked.
thingCHARGER from its inception has been engineered to stack and be completely safe doing so.
imajez
As mentioned above UK multiple plug sockets vary. A lot. This is possibly not such a big deal as the UK plug design is way more secure and less wobbly than any other plug type I've ever come across [and should be the universal standard]. This means a thingCharger may be just fine with a single socket, which is just as well as our multiple sockets are usually horizontal.