When choosing a work chair for your home or office, it’s a good idea to figure out what the chair is made of and what details you should pay special attention to. Modern office chairs are developed by constructors and designers, increasingly also with the participation of doctors, with the expectation of a maximum number of users and in accordance with ergonomic standards.
A familiar and at first glance simple office chair is a kind of construction set consisting of a number of parts. The complex structure of an office chair is dictated by a large number of requirements and tasks that are placed on it. Next, we will try to answer the question of what a chair or office chair is made of. Let's look at each component in detail in turn.
Back
Bearing a significant load (about 25 percent of the user's weight), the backrest is made from the same reliable materials as the seat. The back of the chair must have an anatomically correct shape that matches the curves of the spine. Ergonomic backrests are equipped with adjustable lumbar support or a removable lumbar bolster.
Classification of computer chairs
Let's look at the main types of computer chairs:
- Operator's rooms. In most cases, these are the most budget options with few features. You don’t need to expect a high level of comfort from such a chair. However, they still have fairly large odds. In any case, they are better than ordinary chairs;
- "Director's" They are distinguished by their representative appearance, high back and complex adjustment mechanisms. The most comfortable chairs, but still you won’t forget that you’re at work. They often limit the range of backrest deflection. Such chairs cost very well;
- Gaming ones. The most convenient and expensive. They are equipped with very expensive swing mechanisms with a large number of adjustments. Often even the armrests can change in all respects. The backrest must be high and can recline to a horizontal position. From the outside it resembles an oak leaf. This is caused by the presence of lateral support components. Similar ones can be on both sides of the seat. These chairs are very often equipped with additional “features” in the form of mug holders, stands for a tablet computer, removable pads and the like;
- Orthopedic. They stand out for their very high rigidity. The backrest on the side resembles the letter Z. In the area of the lumbar region there is a significant inward deflection, which plays the role of a support roller. The backrest is medium (up to the shoulder blades) or high (with support for the head). Very often they are covered with acrylic mesh;
- Children's. The main thing to understand here is that the chair should “grow” along with your baby. You will never be able to choose a multi-functional model for all times. It would be nice to have no armrests. In children, this habit provokes spinal curvature. Because very often they rely on only one of which. The child's feet must reach the floor so that the foot stands straight. In this case, worry about a cross with thrust bearings or the presence of a specialized footrest. Children rarely sit upright. Better models with a headrest and lumbar bolster. You should not choose rotating models. This way you will save your own mischief maker from the risk of serious injury.
Armrests
The main function of the armrests is to provide a comfortable position for your hands while working. Depending on the material used, armrests are made of plastic, metal and wood. In addition, many armrests “can” be adjusted in the vertical plane (that is, in height), in the longitudinal plane (forward-backward, left-right), as well as in the angle of inclination. It is customary to equip truly ergonomic chairs with adjustable armrests.
Office chair mechanisms
Modern office chairs are often equipped with quite complex mechanisms that serve to create the most ergonomic working and resting conditions. Among the most common:
multiblock – responsible for free swinging and fixing the tilt of the chair in five positions;
Anyfix – is responsible for free swinging and allows you to fix the chair in any inclined position;
synchromesh mechanism – synchronously changes the angles of the seat and backrest in a certain proportion; also responsible for free swinging and fixing the chair in five positions;
permanent contact – allows you to adjust the angle of deflection and height of the backrest, seating depth, while ensuring constant contact of the backrest with the back of the seated person;
slider – designed to fix the seat depth in one of five positions without getting up from the chair;
relaxation – responsible for rocking the chair and fixing the backrest angle in any comfortable position;
advertiser – responsible for swinging and several fixed positions of the backrest; in this case, the angle of the backrest can vary up to 150-180°;
In addition to the most popular, there are a number of mechanisms that are produced for specific models of chairs within a separate brand. As a rule, such devices have advanced functionality and combine the capabilities of several standard mechanisms.
Specifics of computer chairs - benefits and necessity
Someone might think they are all built on the same principle. This is a very misleading impression, causing many to save on their purchase. In reality, each type of chair has different mechanisms, comfort and adjustment. Their main task is to help avoid significant stress placed on the legs and back during long hours of sitting. Due to this, a large number of significant disorders with joints and blood circulation develop.
It’s easy to figure out a computer chair, regardless of the large selection of models:
- Cross with rollers. At this time, this type of support has boldly replaced chairs with legs from work places of all categories. This can be explained by saving time when moving. You won't have to get up again;
- Ability to adjust the height, tilt angle and placement of all chair components. An ordinary chair cannot boast of this;
- Availability of gas lift. This mechanism makes it possible to change the height of the entire structure along with you according to several indicators;
- All models are something between an armchair and a chair, retaining the characteristics of both types of furniture.
Cross
The base of the chair in the form of a four- or five-beam cross provides a stable position, but only if it has a sufficiently large diameter. Crosspieces come in plastic and metal. High-quality plastic provides lightness and good reliability, a variety of colors, but is still inferior to metal in terms of strength.
Metal crosspieces are durable, but also add several kilograms to the product. These crosspieces differ in design: shiny chrome or matte finish, plastic or wooden linings.
Rollers
The mobility of the chair is provided by rollers - small wheels that are attached to each of the beams of the cross. The materials used are various types of plastic. A chair on hard plastic wheels is chosen for soft flooring. Whereas soft rollers made of polyurethane or with a special rubber coating will work better on hard and smooth floors.
What is a gas lift for an office chair?
A gas lift or gas cartridge is a mechanism that is responsible for adjusting the height of the seat surface and allows you to fix it in a position convenient for use.
The main elements of the gas cartridge: cylinder and spindle.
To ensure that your device serves you for many years, we recommend following these steps:
- - do not jump on the chair;
- - once every few months, lubricate the elements of the chair with special oil;
- - under no circumstances should you sit in a chair together and create an advantage;
Causes of gas cartridge failure:
- — not careful handling of the office chair;
- — the user’s weight exceeds the permissible weight for operation;
- — the warranty period has expired;
- — the user sits on the chair from a jump;
- - rocking in a chair when the mechanism is in a fixed position.
If your chair's warranty period has expired and a breakdown occurs, then having certain knowledge, you can make repairs at home.
If you sit down on a chair, and it independently changes the position of the seat down, and after a while returns to its place, this is one of the signs of a breakdown of the gas cartridge. In this situation, you can fix the position of the chair using improvised means or replace the gas lift.
In order to replace the gas cartridge, you will need:
- - armchair;
- - screwdriver;
- - rubber hammer;
- - metal drift;
- — a new gas cartridge, suitable in diameter and length;
- - vice.
Progress:
- -If you carry out repairs in the cold season, the liquid in the gas cartridge may freeze; it is prohibited to use it. You must wait until the new gas lift reaches room temperature.
- — Next, use a shaped screwdriver to unscrew the seat from the piastres.
- — Turn the chair over and make a mark on the face of the rocking unit.
- — Then unscrew the four screws that secure the chair with the rocking mechanism.
- — Now we dismantle the protective casing.
- — using a rubber hammer, tap the swing mechanism at the base of the gas lift with gentle blows.
- - now knock the gas cartridge out of the crosspiece.
- - then turn the crosspiece over with the rollers up, and using a metal drift, delivering precise blows, knock out the gas cartridge from the cone base of the crosspiece.
Now you have to do the reverse process - assembly:
- — We screw the swing mechanism to the backrest seat.
- — Then place the crosspiece with its wheels on the floor, and then remove the transport cap from the new gas cartridge.
- Important: do not press the gas cartridge button in your hands, this is dangerous to your health!
- — now we are installing a new gas lift, make sure that the diameter of the gas cartridge completely coincides with the cross.
- — now we put on the protective cover, and then the chair body on the swing mechanism.
- — we press our hands on the body of the chair, check all the elements and sit down in the chair to check the operation of the new gas cartridge.
Helpful Tips:
- - if you have assembled a new chair, and you immediately have problems with the gas cartridge. There is a high probability that the gas lift is in poor condition or defective. But it is also possible that the gas cartridge button can be fixed with a lever from the swing mechanism.
- - if the gas lift does not respond when you press the lever, make sure that the piastres or the swing system are secured correctly, as well as the integrity of the lever for pressing the button.
If the above reasons are absent, the gas lift needs to be replaced.
Upholstery
How your chair will look after some time of use, how much effort it will take to maintain - all this depends on the upholstery of the seat and back. Modern office chairs are covered with the following upholstery materials:
Genuine Leather. The most reliable, environmentally friendly and solid material, but also the most expensive;
artificial leather. Practical and cheaper material that does not require special care. The Martindale test will tell you about the quality of a chair upholstered in artificial leather: the greater the number of abrasion cycles, the longer the product will retain its original appearance;
textile. The fabric upholstery of an office chair is of synthetic origin, and its wear resistance is also determined by the results of an abrasion test;
acrylic mesh. The mesh is mainly used to cover the backs of modern office chairs, but sometimes parts for the seat are also made from it. Mesh is the most breathable material.
How to choose a chair for a computer
The list of selection requirements is quite extensive. But each person will need their own approach:
- Coziness. The chair must be comfortable for you personally. You can only understand whether it corresponds to reality by sitting in it. If a sales representative interferes with this, then most likely they have something to hide;
- Armrest length. A good length is considered to be exactly the same as your forearm. Remember, your wrist should not hang down. This will cause problems with blood circulation or joints. If you absolutely need armrests, then purchase options with forward throw;
- Positioning the legs. In a sitting position, the legs should be straight from the hip to the knee, and also from the knee to the ankle. The foot must be placed flat on the floor. When purchasing, remove high heels. This will help avoid misleading impressions about convenience and errors in height calculations;
- Seat tilt. Certain options require a light tilt of the front part of the seat downwards. Not very convenient. Most people have the feeling that they are currently moving forward. Slippery upholstery will encourage the sliding effect much more. It would be great if you can get rid of this by adjusting the seat tilt. If this function is not available, then refuse to purchase without regret;
- Back. Here, the first thing you need to do is start from how long you will sit on this chair. If working at home is very irregular and you need a chair for 1 - 2 hours a day, then you can save money. Choose average, regular backrests that provide support. If you sit for at least 5 - 6 hours a day, then the backrest definitely needs to be high. The presence of a support cushion for the lower back and a support for the neck is very desirable. The filler in them provides a clearer load distribution than sofa cushions;
- According to the rules, the top edge of the display must be at eye level of the person sitting. Of course, you can’t go to a supermarket with a display. But no one will bother you to measure the height of a table with a screen at home. Of course, you will need to go to the supermarket with an assistant. You will sit and a second person will help shape you to the required height. Don't forget, the standard and popular placement of the display centered in front of the eyes has a significant impact on vision. Within a couple of years you may need glasses;
- Models from designers. Stay away. In practice, even very traditional, inexpensive office chairs lose out in everything. Completely unsuited to work. Good only for creating a bright accent in the interior. After sitting on such a chair for more than 20 minutes, you will willingly replace it even with a wooden one. In this case, you will need to pay a lot of money for unusualness.
You can find prices for computer chairs in the catalog by following the link.
Filler
The quality of the internal filler determines how long the volumetric elements of the seat and back of the chair will retain their original shape. Furniture manufacturers fill chairs with polyurethane foam or foam rubber. Molded polyurethane foam is considered a more modern and durable material; it is used in the manufacture of special orthopedic chairs for work.
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