Office Chair Mechanisms Explained

Swivel Tilt

The simplest working mechanism: the seat and back rock together from a central pivot, with tension adjustment underneath. It is used across the 2101, 2102, 2105, 2205 and 2215 task models. For an eight hour desk chair at entry price, it is the right mechanism.

Three Position Locking

The back locks at fixed recline angles. The 41 series and the 2210 series use it. It suits users who want to lock an upright position for keyboard work and release it for a call, without paying for independent seat adjustment.

Multi-functional

Seat angle and back angle adjust independently, usually with separate levers. It appears on the 2801 leather series and on the 2225 mesh executive model. This is the mechanism executive buyers expect to find when they sit down.

Synchronised Tilt

Seat and back recline together at a fixed ratio, typically about one to two, so the user's feet stay planted as the back opens. The 2338 leather series uses it.

Self Loading

Recline tension sets itself from the user's body weight rather than a tension knob. The Loke series, the 2320 series and the 2326 series use it. In shared or hot desk environments this removes the most common complaint, which is that the previous user left the tension wrong.

Donati Multi-functional

The 2816 leather series is specified with a Donati multi-functional mechanism with four position locking. Where a tender names the mechanism supplier, this is the model that answers it.