Office Chair Mechanism Types
Choosing the right chair for you and your job
At CS Storage, we offer a huge range of office chairs for all purposes - from draughting chairs and operator chairs to boardroom chairs and 24 hour chairs. We understand that choosing the right chair for the right task is vital. For this reason, we have described below the various mechanism types to help you know how to choose the right office chair and find the chair that suits your requirements. For each chair we list, we have placed it in a category of chair type - i.e operator chairs, task chairs, posture chairs, boardroom chairs and so on. We have also provided a guide recommended hours usage for each chair. If you require any further assistance in choosing the right chair for you, please call us on 01772 322634 or use the live chat feature on the right hand bottom corner of the website.
Fixed back mechanism
This seat can be moved up and down, you can move the back rest up and down and in and out. The angle of the back rest is fixed.
Permanent contact back (PCB)
This seat can be moved up and down, you can move the back rest up and down and in and out. The angle of the back rest can be fixed or it can be free floating – in permanent contact with your back.
Asynchro torsion mechanism
This seat can be moved up and down, usually, the back rest can be moved up and down. You can fix or allow the back rest to free float. You can fix or allow the angle of the seat to free float – independently of the back rest. The torsion control knob is used to match your body weight. This allows you to find the best position to use a computer.
Asynchro mechanism
This seat can be moved up and down, you can move the back rest up and down and you can fix or free float the back rest and the angle of the seat – independently of the back rest. This allows you to find the best position to use a computer.
Lock-tilt mechanism
You can adjust the seat height up and down using a single lever and also lock or unlock the tilt of the chair. The mechanisms can either be locked in an upright position or to free float with the user. A torsion control knob is used to adjust to body weight.
Synchro mechanism
This seat can be moved up and down, and you can fix or allow to free float the angle of the seat and back rest together. These synchro chairs can be fixed in any one of three, four or five position.
Stackable chair
Solid chair frames that can be stacked when not in use for compact storage.
Which office chair should be used?
Choose a chair that is comfortable for the user to sit in. Ideally only one person should use each chair so that it can be set at a fixed height and other personal settings used. It is best practice to find a chair that is comfortable to sit on and has a backrest that provides lumbar support.
If more than one person will be using the office workstation, it is worth considering buying a chair with further ergonomic features. -
Chair armrests
Armrests on a chair can be useful for getting into and getting out of the chair. The armrests can be also useful for resting the arms occasionally during various tasks or sitting back relaxing. Armrests should be set at a height so that elbows are perpendicular to the armrest. If the armrests are set too high or too low, the user may experience problems with their neck or spine.
Adjustable Height
This feature is vital and the first thing to look for. Most chairs are height adjustable. Most people need to be sat at a different height when working so manufacturers make allowances for this.
Swivel
Not all office chairs have this feature. It is added to chairs so that items around the desk are easy to reach but care should be taken not to swivel around too quickly and cause damage to the back.
Adjustable Backrest & Lumbar Support
For a chair to be completely ergonomically correct, an adjustable backrest with lumbar support is vital. Setting the backrest correctly helps to reduce any pressure and tension on the user’s upper back which helps to prevent muscle stress and fatigue.
Seat
The seat should be padded enough to provide adequate support – firm enough so that your weight is supported by the chair - enough to provide comfort and prevention of damage to the spine.
Another consideration is how many hours the chair is likely to be used for. If the chair is to be used for long periods, it is advisable to look for more ergonomic features.