Are you sure that you have configured your swing mechanism as conveniently as possible and used all its capabilities? If you doubt the answer or are looking for a new five-wheeled friend, is this article for you?
According to the calculations of scientists (not British, but normal ones), throughout our lives we spend a little more than 10 years at work... That is why ]armchairs[/anchor] around the world decided: “Let these be the best 10 years of your life!”, and equipped with a huge number of adjustments. It’s more pleasant to spend so much time in soft, comfortable chairs, isn’t it?
If you are asking philosophical questions, “what kind of lever is this” or “why is there this huge screw” in your chair, or are you looking for a new friend on wheels, this article is a must-read for you.
Let's look at the most common swing mechanisms for office chairs!
Gaming chairs
Staff chairs
Executive chairs
Reinforced seats up to 250 kg
What rocking mechanisms can chairs have?
Piastra
Quite a poetic name for that harsh thing in the photo below, don’t you agree? Thus, a piastra is a device that allows you to adjust the chair exclusively in height. Up down. And that is all.
It is a block with a gas lift control lever, which, in turn, has the magical power to raise and lower your chair. Typically used in low-cost operator models.
Permanent contact
Along with piastres, you can often find permanent contact . It is based on an elastic spring, which allows the back of the chair to press against the back of the person sitting and, accordingly, regulates its angle and fixation.
In total, it has 3 adjustments :
- back height
- planting depth
- backrest deflection rigidity
FDA (spring-screw mechanism)
Another device for connecting the seat and back of the chair is the PVM (spring-screw mechanism) .
It has only 1 adjustment: backrest swing stiffness. The interesting thing is that the backrest here is not fixed in any position - initially it is vertical. But when you lean on it, the front actuator is activated, and the backrest tilts depending on your contact force (or weight).
Top gun
The top gun, or centered swing mechanism, or DMS is a “rocker”. Such devices are used in executive chairs.
The top gun has three adjustments:
- Up and down, using a lever that acts on the gas lift and raises or lowers the chair.
- The same lever, if adjusted not up and down, but right and left, activates the swing mechanism, or, conversely, fixes the chair in the working position.
- The mechanism contains an adjusting screw, which allows you to adjust the rigidity of the swing depending on the weight of the person sitting.
The mechanism is called “centered” because its axis is located in the middle of the chair, which means that when the chair is fully tilted, the seated person’s feet are lifted off the floor.
In more expensive models (which have a multiblock with an offset axis, which we will talk about later), the swing axis is shifted closer to the edge , and therefore it is more comfortable to swing: your feet are on the ground.
Deep Tilt
Deep Tilt , or deep swing mechanism , or knee mechanism , is a device that allows you to turn your warhorse into a virtual rocking chair.
- The lever on one side is responsible for raising and lowering the chair up and down.
- The lever on the other side is responsible for swinging and locking in the working position.
- The mechanism contains an adjusting screw that allows you to adjust the rigidity of the swing.
To roughly generalize, the functions of Deep Tilt are the same as those of the top gun. A separate lever is allocated only for swinging, which allows the chair to swing stronger .
Deep Tilt is not very common in Russia, but to get the overall picture we decided to add it to the list.
Multiblock
The good old and beloved chair transformation mechanism . It has all the top gun adjustments, and what's more:
- Allows you to adjust the force of deflection of the chair during swinging and its rigidity
- Fixes the chair back in several positions (up to 5 positions)
Multiblock with an offset axis is a variation of the multiblock that ensures constant contact of the feet with the floor, no matter what the tilt of the chair is at this moment. Such a mechanism can be found in ergonomic, comfortable models of executive chairs.
Multiblock with synchro mechanism
The synchro mechanism changes the angle of inclination of both the back of the chair and the seat separately, but all at the same time. In other words, when rocking, the seat and backrest move separately from each other, but in a certain proportion to the angle of inclination. As a rule, the optimal proportion is a ratio of 3:1. Backrest tilt 3 degrees = seat tilt 1 degree.
The tilt range of the chair back is 30-36 degrees. At the same time, any synchronizing mechanism is necessarily equipped with load adjustment for personal adjustment to your weight in order to ensure maximum unloading of the spine.
Multiblock with asynchronous mechanism
The asynchronous mechanism performs exactly the same functions as the synchronous mechanism, but at the same time the back and seat tilt independently of each other, following the movement vector of the seated body.
In other words, when you rock on a chair, the backrest swings with you, but the seat remains fixed in one position. Or vice versa.
Choosing a chair
When planning to purchase a chair for your workplace, you should carefully study the swing mechanism.
Every person wants to sit correctly and comfortably.
This functionality was invented to create maximum comfort for a person who spends a long time in a sitting position.
When buying a chair, “try” it on yourself - if it’s comfortable, feel free to take it.
In order to avoid negative consequences, such as poor circulation, problems with the spine and others, you need to pay attention to how the chair can adapt to the individual characteristics of the human body, providing him with comfort.
A person’s well-being and performance will directly depend on the chair.
Rocking mechanisms should be aimed at ergonomic position of the human body.
It is also important to choose a chair that suits your taste. So that it satisfies your ambitions and is perfectly displayed on your image in your personal account.
Top gun with swing amplitude ZY-168-2
Add to cart 1,950 RUR
What other additional mechanisms exist in nature?
In addition to the above, the chairs may contain:
- Multi top gun , or top gun deluxe , or DMSL - this is a more advanced version of the top gun from the point above. The difference from the basic top-gun mechanism is the presence of a lever for fixing the chair in any convenient position. Actually, this is what makes it “luxury”.
- “Anti-shock effect” is a mechanism that independently smoothly returns the chair to its working position after unlocking. This means that you do not receive a sharp push in the back from your favorite (or no longer?) chair, but calmly return to your working position.
- A slider is a device that regulates the depth of the seat (it can “move” back and forth and lock in 5 different positions, moving the back of the chair further away or closer to you).
Phew, figured it out! And now – our TOP 8 most popular office chairs – look, study, buy!
What is a “multiblock” of computer chairs and why is it needed?
We are often asked: why do we need rocking mechanisms on a work or study chair? After all, we are not children to sway during serious activities! It all comes down to human physiology. Our body is simply not designed to sit on our gluteal muscles for long periods of time, without movement or breaks. If you sit even on the most ergonomic office chair, with back support and comfortable armrests, for 2-3 hours, a person begins to feel discomfort in the lumbar region.
If measures are not taken, muscle tension rises higher. It starts to ache all over my back and shoulders. A headache occurs. Moreover, sitting still contributes to the stagnation of blood in constricted vessels, increasing the risk of diseases of the joints, spine, and pelvic organs. But many office workers, pupils and students, writers and just people working on a computer spend 6-12 hours every day in this position. And it is not always possible to take breaks every two hours, get up and stretch.
That is why experts recommend purchasing not just chairs, but models with the ability to swing. Periodic rocking, lowering and raising the backrest has a beneficial effect on tense muscles, making it possible to relax. The result is that at the end of the working day a person feels much more energetic and better, without debilitating back pain.
Which chair to choose if there are no budget restrictions?
Herman Miller Embody, of course! The model has been on the market for several decades, it is changed minimally, and stability is a sign of skill. And these chairs look simply amazing. By the way, this is the only orthopedic chair in the manufacturer’s line; all the others are ergonomic.
The back of the chair resembles a spine
Huge number of colors available
The Herman Miller Embody chair is owned by Andrey Baryshnikov, one of the co-founders and hosts of the BeardyCast podcast. Here are his thoughts about the chair:
I'm not an expert on chairs.
I like it. Supports your back in all positions, not only vertically, but also tilting/twisting left and right. I almost always sit leaning back to take the load off my spine, if anything. This chair allows you to sit so that when you tilt, you remain vertical relative to the screen... This is difficult to explain in words.
The adjustable length of the seat is useful when I want to put my legs on it.
The fabric survives time well - there is not a trace on it, and it calmly survived the stage in the life of cats when they tore at everything (including this chair).
It also has cool wheels. It is very easy to move around the room without leaving your chair.
Andrey Baryshnikov
Co-founder and host of the BeardyCast podcast
And here we come to the only, perhaps, minus - the price. On the official Herman Miller website, the most affordable version will cost $1,495 (approximately 112,000 rubles). In Russia it is even greater. Do you need wheels for parquet? Pay another 40 dollars. Need a different base color or better fabric? Get your money ready! But here you pay for a name, proven models and a 12-year warranty. In addition, you can find used chairs at an attractive price, but delivery may be a problem.
Selecting users with the “sync” mechanism
The rating is based on the popularity of the models among buyers.
M Samurai KL 1 (Samurai)
Country of origin: Russia. The design of the model was developed in Japan. The chair has a laconic design. The product has a monolithic frame, metal armrests with soft pads. The seat of the chair is made of perforated NewLeather leather, giving the feeling of a soft sofa. The comfortable, high back is trimmed with mesh fabric. Weight restrictions – 120 kg.
Advantages:
- attractive appearance;
- comfortable fit;
- robust design.
Main disadvantage:
- high price.
N 007 A White
Country of origin: China. The gaming model has a thoughtful design. The back of the chair is height adjustable and covered with mesh material. This gives the chair a feeling of lightness and airiness. The swing mechanism allows you to select different backrest angles. Plastic armrests have a retractable design. For convenience, they are equipped with soft pads. Weight limit of 120 kg.
Advantages:
- attractive design;
- ergonomics;
- reliable design.
No deficiencies identified.
EvP Everest S (Everest)
Country of origin: China. Model with mesh back. Plastic armrests are equipped with soft plastic pads. The swing mechanism can be fixed in various positions.
Advantages:
- reliable design;
- ergonomics;
- nice design.
No deficiencies identified.
The most common breakdowns of office chairs
Damage to the cross
The main damage to this element is a breakdown at the junction of the beams. It is important to consider the material it is made of. The base is a hollow structure, inside of which you can place a polypropylene pipe of suitable cross-section and dimensions. The pipe is rigidly fixed to the damaged beam and base.
Note! You cannot splice plastic elements using a soldering iron or glue due to the high load on the paws.
The best option is to replace the plastic structure with a base made of glass-filled polyamide.
Disassembling an office chair is not difficult.
Dismantling the cross is carried out as follows:
- Removing rollers. Usually they are not rigidly secured.
- Dismantling the piastres. The fastening to the seat is carried out “on a cone”. It is necessary to disconnect the piastrum from the pneumatic cartridge by tapping at the attachment point.
- Removing the retaining clip. It is located in the recess of the upper segment of the gas lift.
- Knocking out the gas lift. If the damage is serious enough, this will not work. In this case, the working cylinder is removed along with the bearing and seal.
The convenience and ease of setting up office furniture directly affects the work efficiency of those who use this furniture.
Destruction of the swing mechanism
If it breaks, the chair stops holding the “horizon”. Dismantling this element is quite simple:
- Unscrew the four mounting screws.
- Knock the air cartridge out of the mount.
During movement, a proportional unloading of the entire spine occurs along its length.
The preferred solution to the problem is to completely replace the part. You can use a welding machine to repair an old mechanism.
Note! Russian and Chinese standard mechanisms differ in size.
Gas lift failure
If the integrity of the pneumatic cartridge elements is damaged, the rod does not extend when pressed. In this case, a complete replacement of the entire mechanism is necessary. It cannot be disassembled due to gas pressure.
Also, quite often the cause of breakdown is the bending of the adjustment lever, which just needs to be bent and returned to its original state.
Gas lift breakdowns occur for several reasons.
The design of a computer chair is quite complex, and at the same time extremely thoughtful. This ensures maximum comfort during use and allows you to work for a long time in a sitting position.
How to do it yourself
To adjust the parameters of the chair, you should carefully study its structure. Some models do not provide for certain regulatory mechanisms. And without them, it is simply impossible to set the backrest to a certain angle, the seat to a certain height, and the armrests to do both.
The delivery package of the furniture product should include instructions that will help you adjust it to your needs. However, you can also use general recommendations. First you need to decide on the height of the workplace and the depth of the chair. After this, you can begin adjusting the backrest. When everything is ready, all that remains is to adjust the angle and level of the armrests.
Height change
To change the height of the workplace, you need to use the lever, which is usually located under the seat on the left side. You should sit in an office chair and pull the handle up. In this way, the furniture is lowered to the required level. Next, you need to place your palms on the tabletop, and if it suddenly turns out that they are higher than your elbows, then the position of the chair needs to be adjusted again. To do this, stand up a little and pull the handle again: without any weight load, the seat will instantly rise.
Some models of chairs may have a rotary control instead of a lever, which must be turned to adjust the appropriate seat height.
If the user cannot figure out how to lower or raise his computer chair or office chair, and he is unable to perform the necessary actions, the problem may be as follows:
- This is not a normal, but a pneumonic model. To raise the chair, or vice versa, to lower it, the lever must be swung (pressed several times).
- The design has two regulators, not one. Each is responsible for a specific mechanism (raising or lowering). In this case, it is recommended to carefully study the instructions before making adjustments.
- The rotating arm only turns in one direction. If, when adjusting the seat height, the chair only rises, you must continue to rotate the handle. After a few turns it will start to go down.
In some cases, the problem may be a breakdown of the structure. For example, if the height of a chair changes only under the weight of a person (lowers when he sits down and rises when he gets up), the cause of this phenomenon is a malfunction of the gas cartridge. It will need to be replaced. If the lever of a new computer chair does not have the desired effect (when you press it), it may have been damaged during transportation. It needs to be inspected and adjusted using pliers.
Backrest tilt
If there is a screw on the back of the chair, it will allow you to change the tilt of the backrest. The adjuster should be loosened by turning it slightly counterclockwise, and then you should sit down and lean back and forth until the most suitable position is selected. After this, the angle of inclination should be fixed by twisting in the opposite direction.
Not all office chairs are equipped with screws for adjusting the backrest angle; budget furniture models do not have this function.
Armrest tilt
The armrest adjustment mechanism is usually located on the left side. To adjust the height, you will need to hold down the button, then raise the armrests to the desired level, and then release the held button.
What parameters are adjustable?
To adjust an office chair, you need to change or adjust its parameters:
- The highest point of the seat should barely reach knee level in a standing position or be slightly lower. It is also adjustable in relation to the level of the tabletop. When a person is sitting and his hands are on the table, his elbows should be bent at an angle of 90 degrees.
- Backrest tilt. It is necessary to fix it at such an angle as to maintain the most comfortable position for the back of the person sitting. The chair should not rest against the spine, or, conversely, lean far back.
- Rocking mechanism. This parameter is adjusted to the person’s weight. The larger it is, the more rigid the swing must be to avoid falling.
- The height and angle of the armrests should be at such a level that the elbows of the person sitting in a bent position barely touch their surface. Otherwise, excessive pressure will be applied to the fingers and supporting parts of the hands.
To determine the correct body position in an office chair, you need to follow three simple rules. Firstly, it is recommended to place the center of the computer monitor directly at eye level: in order to read the necessary information from the screen, there should be no need to move your neck. Secondly, you need to feel good support for the curve of your lower back. Thirdly, the distance from the back of the shin to the front edge of the seat should be no more than 5 cm. To check this, just clench your fist and see how freely it passes between them. If the fist squeezes through with difficulty or does not fit at all, then the backrest needs to be moved forward. If the distance between the shins and the edge of the chair is too large, then it is moved back.
The seat height should reach knee level in a standing position.
The tilt of the back should maintain a comfortable back position
Adjustable to seat weight
The height of the armrests fixes the position of the hands at table level
Correct adjustment of an office chair
Gas lift
To raise and lower the chair to a certain height, adjusting it for a person of any height, the product uses a gas lift (gas cartridge). This mechanism is present in all executive chairs.
This is a steel cylinder that is filled with inert gas, which ensures a smooth ride for the chair. To open the bypass valve, use the button on the stem. When the valve is in the closed position, the spring is very stiff and has a short stroke under the weight of the seated person. At the same time, the chair springs slightly.
When the valve is open, the stem moves freely to the full length of the spring. This is how the chair is adjusted in height. In addition, the pneumatic cartridge is also a kind of shock absorber, since the gas spring provides additional resistance to movement.
To facilitate the process of rotating the chair, a thrust ball bearing is used in the gas lift design.
Diagram of the gas lift mechanism
The reliability and quality of a given element is determined by the quality category assigned to it and the world standard to which it must comply (which is not always the case). There are four such quality categories in total, with the fourth being the highest. The most common gas cartridges are category 3 according to the Germany DIN 4550 standard.
Gas lifts vary in size and are high, medium and short.
A low pneumatic cartridge with a piston stroke range of 85-100 mm is installed, as a rule, in director models, which is due to the already large seat with filler. Thus, the height from the floor to the edge of the seat is optimal for a person who is not very tall.
Among such chairs, it is worth highlighting the elegant and very feminine models Chairman Jazzz, Chairman Sky , as well as affordable CH 438 and CH 750 .
Examples of gas lift of various lengths
In other models (often in operator chairs) a medium-length gas cartridge is used, the piston stroke of which is 120-140 mm.
Initially, high gas cartridges with a piston stroke of 240-260 mm are installed in children's and bar chairs.
For tall people, it is recommended to replace the middle gas lift with a tall one, which is absolutely not difficult to do, since all gas cartridges have standard seating dimensions. Thus, they are all interchangeable.
Note! The gas cartridge itself (usually a shiny rod) contains gas under high pressure. Do not damage it and do not open it!
Popular options with a multiblock mechanism
The rating is based on the popularity of the models among buyers.
Gamer 51
Country of manufacture: China. The gaming chair has a non-monolithic frame. The armrests and base crosspiece are made of plastic. Upholstery material – eco-leather. The chairs are produced only in black color. The swing mechanism has several positions for fixing the angle of inclination. Weight restrictions – 120 kg. The back of the chair can be adjusted in height.
Advantages:
- aggressive design;
- ergonomics;
- personal customization;
- robust design;
- reliable swing mechanism.
Flaws:
- difficulty in repair;
- weight restrictions.
Botticelli DB-13
Country of origin: China. The model belongs to the “executive chair” category. It has a presentable appearance. The frame of the product is monolithic, the base cross has wooden overlays. The swing mechanism has several options for fixing the angle of inclination. The back of the chair is high and supports the spine well. Leather upholstery has 6 color options.
Advantages:
- respectable appearance;
- high-quality materials;
- ergonomics.
Main disadvantage:
- high price.
G_Severin
Country of origin: China. The model belongs to the “executive chair” category. The product has a monolithic frame and a metal cross. The tilt angle is fixed in several positions. The swing mechanism is a five-stage multiblock. The armrests are equipped with soft eco-leather inserts. Load limits – 120 kg.
Advantages:
- stylish design;
- convenient design;
- high-quality assembly.
Main disadvantage:
- high price.
What to look for when choosing
Chairs of any type are selected taking into account their ergonomics.
It is important that the back of the product can be installed in a position that is comfortable for the human body. The best option for the back is chairs with a bolster for the spinal deflection.
When buying a rocking chair, you need to consider how much time you will have to spend in it. If the chair is used periodically, then you can opt for inexpensive models. For constant long-term sitting in a chair, it is better to choose more expensive models. A comfortable fit will increase work productivity and cause less harm to health.
