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Unruly block-heater cords restrained by local invention

By: Staff Writer

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011 at 2:29 PM | Comments: 4

Two Winnipeggers have found a potential solution to floppy block-heater cords that can chip a vehicle's paint or damage its hood.

Kelly Taylor and Michael Clark, hosts of The Road Trip on CJOB and Shaw TV, invented the Cord Bug, a magnetic attachment that sticks to extension cords or block-heater cords and holds them tightly to the car's surface. Taylor said the idea came to them after the pair noticed how many cars have long block-heater cords protruding from their hood or wrapped around the side mirror, dangling or rubbing against the front tire.

Taylor said the device will keep pesky cords where they should be. It also reminds drivers to unplug their cord before they drive away.

"That keeps it secure so the cord end doesn't scratch the paint or break a headlight," he said.

Taylor said local body shops say they see vehicles damaged by cords every week and it can cost between $350 and $650 to repair a damaged hood or fender.

The Cord Bug patent is pending in Canada and the U.S. and the gadget is available at Focus Hyundai, and three Carstar Manitoba locations in Winnipeg. Visit www.thecordbug.ca for more information.

--Staff

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Posted by:Woofers

January 6, 2011 at 6:47 PM

WFP: "how many cars have long block-heater cords protruding from their hood or wrapped around the side mirror, dangling or rubbing against the front tire"

Because people are too lazy or cheap to buy one of those cord holders that fastens to the front of your vehicle. $25 at Canadian Tire. Probably a lot cheaper elsewhere.

Q: How well does this magnet work on a fibreglass body?

Woof!

Posted by:FDixon

January 6, 2011 at 7:38 PM

At first I thought this sounded like a really smart idea, but I am disappointed to see that it actually ENCOURAGES people to have 10-15' of extension cord hanging out of their hoods! How about it you just have 6" or so sticking out and a separate extension cord that you unplug and stow inside the car while you're driving? Really?!...never understood why people are so lazy.

NOW if this thing would do something with the little 6" end that I have hanging out of my hood to keep if from scratching my bumper that'd be great...but my bumper's plastic, and last time I checked magnets dont stick to plastic.

Posted by:The Cord Bug

January 13, 2011 at 12:55 PM

For information on how to use The Cord Bug to keep your block heater cord end from damaging your vehicle, check out the tutorial on You Tube. At this time, we do not have a solution for Fiberglass/composite vehicles, such as Chevrolet Corvettes, Pontiac Fieros, etc. We at The Cord Bug realizes that the majority of people do not hang block heater cords on cars. Our concern for this method has to do with the damage that can occur to the cord, such as tires rubbing against it. Recent events regarding fires caused by faulty block heater cords, which may have been damaged by misuse, are of key concern to The Cord Bug. Drive safe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybb9LcWkWos

Posted by:The Cord Bug

January 13, 2011 at 1:10 PM

For information on mounting The Cord Bug to keep your block heater cord end from damaging your vehicle, visit us on You Tube for a handy tutorial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybb9LcWkWos

Re-routing a block heater cord away from the bumper is easily done, to allow The Cord Bug to be affixed to a metal surface. Block heater cord usage has many preferences, some of which involve hanging the cord on the vehicle surface. While not an attractive solution, The Cord Bug does make the attachment safer, keeping the cord from rubbing against the tire, and exposing insulation on the cord, which could lead to electrocution, electrical fire, etc. Our key concern is the six inches of loose cord that can cause damage to a vehicle surface, especially on new vehicles.

At this time, The Cord Bug is designed for attachment to a metal surface only. Vehicles with Fiberglass/composite/aluminum panels, such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac Fiero, etc, are not good candidates for Cord Bug use. Luckily, these are not vehicles seen on most winter roads. Unlike the cord attachment cleats available at certain retailers, The Cord Bug requires no drilling or mechanical attachment. Feel free to visit our website; thecordbug.ca.

Happy Motoring from The Cord Bug Team

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