# US 2014/0194257 A1 · Furniture for generating green energy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194257 A1 - Document ID: US20140194257A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/238,128 - Filed: 2012-08-17 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-19 - Assignees: Wewatt - Inventors: Patricia Jacqueline Huberte Maria Ceysens; Werner Musenbrock; Katarina Verhaegen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194257A1 ## CPC - A63B 21/0053: {using alternators or dynamos} - A63B 21/0054: {for charging a battery} - A63B 21/0055: {the produced electric power used as a source for other equipment, e.g. for TVs} - A63B 22/0605: {performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers} - A63B 2210/00: Space saving - A63B 2225/107: Resisting devices being of the same kind - A63B 2225/20: with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract The application provides items of furniture having a seating portion (2), a table surface (3) and a set of two pedals (4) allowing the user to pedal from a sitting position on the seating portion, whereby this set of pedals are connected to a generator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An item of furniture comprising a seating portion; a set of two pedals enabling the user to pedal from a sitting position on the seating portion, whereby this set of pedals is connected to a generator; a table surface; whereby the table surface is physically connected to the seating portion; whereby the item of furniture is further characterized in that said item of furniture comprises a modular system of combination enabling two or more items of furniture to be connected together in a modular manner. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, wherein said modular system of combination enables two or more items of furniture to be connected together in a modular manner, thereby generating a common table surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, which further comprise an energy buffer which is connected to the generator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, which further comprises one or more plug sockets, preferably comprising a USB port or a micro-USB port, connected to the generator and/or to the energy buffer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, further comprising a grid connection enabling the energy that is produced to be connected to an electricity grid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, further comprising a charging module enabling the energy produced to be supplied to an electrical or electronic system connected thereto, preferably by means of an inductive coupling. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, that also comprises a central processing unit that receives data from the generator and/or from sensors coupled with the pedals, whereby the said central processing unit can optionally transmit data via a wireless connection and whereby the item of furniture optionally comprises a display that is coupled to the central processing unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, which further comprises a connection to the internet or to a network. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The item of furniture according to claim 8 above, in which the connection to the internet or to a network includes connection to social networking sites. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, in which the seating portion slopes downwards towards the pedals, preferably at an angle of at least 1°, more preferably at an angle of at least 5°, and most preferably at an angle of at least 10°. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, in which the set of pedals is connected to a direct drive motor or to a generator by means of a transmission system optionally comprising a gear system, whereby this gear system is either a double stage or a single stage system, preferably a single stage system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, in which the energy buffer comprises a rechargeable battery or a capacitor, for example the rechargeable battery of an electric bicycle, preferably selected from a list containing a rechargeable lead-acid battery, a rechargeable lithium ion battery, an ultra-capacitor and an electrolytic capacitor and preferably in which the energy buffer comprises an ultra-capacitor and a switched current limiter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, in which the generator is selected from a list containing a DC generator, an AC generator and a hub dynamo, preferably whereby the generator comprises an AC generator. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator that indicates one or more of the following: how much energy is being consumed and/or how much energy is being generated and/or where applicable, how much energy there is remaining in the energy buffer, whereby said indicator comprises a light-emitting element, for example an LED strip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The item of furniture according to claim 14 above, whereby the indicator comprises a light-emitting element with a variable lighting intensity and/or whereby the said indicator comprises a number of light sources, whereby a variable number of these light sources can be illuminated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The item of furniture according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated display, said display provides one or more of the following information: information on time and/or intensity of movement of pedals, optionally converted into information of calorie consumption. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An item of furniture according to claim 1, whereby the table surface is circular and comprises a central hole, whereby the item comprises a vertical structure extending through the central hole and said hole optionally allows the introduction of additional vertical structures so as to generate a combination of furniture items with a common table surface. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) Use of an item of furniture according to claim 1 for displaying commercial or informal messages.