All about rocking mechanisms for chairs

Modern armchairs are complex devices with many parts and mechanisms. One of the most important elements is the swing mechanism.

In people with sedentary work, not only the back suffers, but the entire body, although the main load, of course, falls on the spine. Manufacturers of such furniture are trying their best to improve the comfort of their chairs and reduce the pressure on the back. This effect can be achieved thanks to the swing mechanism.

Comfort, ergonomics and spine support depend on the parameters of this part. Therefore, the primary role in the choice of a chair is not its external characteristics, but the type, quality, reliability and functionality of the mechanisms.

There are many types of systems that can be found in modern armchairs. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Piastra only changes the height of the chair. The mechanism is made in the form of a block with a lever, which is responsible for gas lift control. Such systems are found in budget models.

• Permanent contact is characterized by similar capabilities. It provides three adjustment options, the first of which is responsible for the height of the back, the second for the depth of the seat, and the third for the rigidity of the back.

• FDA, which stands for a spring-screw mechanism, is capable of changing only the swing stiffness. The backrest cannot be fixed in a certain position. It deviates from the pressure of the user's back.

• Top gun is often found in executive chairs. In some models, there is a metal plate in the place of attachment of the mechanism with a gas lift. Such a reinforced part is able to withstand heavy workloads, demonstrating high reliability and durability.

This mechanism is characterized by three adjustment options:

1. movement up or down is activated by a lever that acts on the gas lift, which allows you to raise / lower the chair;

2. the same lever is used, which can be adjusted not only up and down, but also to the right and left, which activates the swing mechanism or allows you to fix the chair in the desired position;

3. the adjusting screw is responsible for the swing stiffness, which will depend on the weight of the user and the pressure when the seated person is tilted back.

Now more and more expensive variations of the mechanism are found, in the design of which a multiblock with an offset axis is installed. The operation process becomes more comfortable for the user, since the legs remain on the floor when swinging.

• Multi-Top Gun Rocking System provides not only free rocking, but also fixation of the back. The latter function is activated by pressing a lever that can be found under the seat.

The advantage of this mechanism is excellent support for the spine.

• Deep Tilt Mechanism provides the user with such ample opportunities that an ordinary chair can easily turn into a rocking chair. The system is equipped with two levers, one of which raises and lowers the structure, and the other is responsible for the swinging and fixing processes. The presence of an adjusting screw opens up the possibility for the user to adjust the stiffness.

• Multiblock - this is a well-known mechanism that is loved by many. It combines all the features of the top-gun, to which some more additional features are added:

1. regulation of the swing deflection force and stiffness;

2. fixing the back in several positions;

3. in a multiblock with an offset axis, the legs will constantly be on the floor, regardless of the angle of inclination;

4. in a multiblock with a synchromechanism, you can change the angle of the back and seat tilt separately, independently of each other, but in a certain proportion, which allows you to minimize the load on the spine;

5. the asynchronous mechanism in the multiblock is as similar as possible to the synchromechanism in its functionality, the difference lies in the independent tilt of the back and seat, which move in the vector of the user's body movement.

• "Anti-shock effect" responsible for the smooth return of the chair to working condition after unlocking.

• Slider able to adjust the depth of the seat and fix it in different positions.

Many do not know whether it is worth overpaying for an expensive swing system with rich functionality, or whether the simplest mechanism will suffice. The following tips will help you make a choice and not regret it in the future.

• The rocking mechanism is primarily necessary for comfort, which will be maintained even with a long stay in the chair. For a person with a sedentary lifestyle, this is very important, therefore, his choice must be approached with high responsibility.

• You cannot buy a chair "blindly". It is imperative to "try it on" - do not hesitate to sit in a chair and try the work of the mechanism in action. If there is even the slightest inconvenience, you need to continue looking.

• The chair should adapt as accurately and quickly as possible to the features of the human body, otherwise it will be inconvenient and even dangerous to health.

• The rocking mechanism must necessarily provide a high level of ergonomics.

• If the chair is chosen not for work, and the total duration of being in it will not exceed 2 hours a day, then it makes no sense to overpay and choose multifunctional mechanisms. The Top Gun system would be the smart choice.

• If you plan to sit in a chair for about 4 hours daily, then you should take a closer look at the multi-top-gun. This option is a little more expensive, but your back will appreciate the comfort despite a long sitting position.

• Prolonged sitting requires maximum protection for the spine. You cannot save here, since an uncomfortable position and lack of good support for the back will result in serious health problems. In such a situation, you need to choose a multiblock or synchromechanism - there are no other options.

• If you choose not a chair, but a separate mechanism for replacing a faulty element, then you need to pay attention to the center-to-center distance of the fasteners. The most common options are 150x200 and 150x250 mm, but other sizes are also found.

An overview of the chair rocking mechanisms in the next video.