The AirPad 3C72 Series Executive Chair from Interstuhl combines a "Body-Float" synchronous mechanism with innovative membrane technology to create a balanced, relaxing and fully supportive sitting experience. The mechanism rebalances automatically with every movement, large or small, to deliver the same gently floating experience whether the user is sitting upright and focused on a task, or reclining in the chair, deep in thought.
The seat back and head rest on this premium chair are made of a highly tensile, elastic "membrane." This semi-transparent material delivers exceptional comfort and resilient support for the entire back and neck, along with unparalleled resistance to tears and punctures. (See the link under "Additional Resources" for a video demonstration.) Permeable Micro AirPads in the membrane permit airflow that helps to moderate body temperature. The seat back features height adjustable lumbar support and adjustable counter-pressure to ensure that users of all weights are properly supported when leaning back in the chair.
The seat pan on the AirPad is tilt adjustable, with an intuitive hand-operated rolling mechanism to extend or reduce its depth (front to back). Together, these features allow users of all heights to benefit from a seat that is custom sized and optimally positioned. The seat fabric is high grade commercial polyester rated at 400 g/rm.
An even higher degree of adjustability characterizes the T-armrests on the AirPad Executive. To allow users of all builds to meet their individual needs for arm support, the "4-D" armrests are adjustable for height, width (from the inner edge of the left armrest to the inner edge of the right armrest), depth (forward and backward) and pivot (20° to the left and right).
The AirPad 3C72 Series Executive Chair is available with the membrane back in a striking contemporary white, or in a more conservative opaque black. All chairs come with double casters for soft surfaces, and a durable, polished aluminum base.
Helps to Improve the Health of the Body's Systems - The conventional seated position (i.e. 90º bend) restricts both blood and fluid flows through the internal organs. The Body-Float Mechanism of the AirPad permits users to open that bend up to 125°. Regular employment of this feature can benefit the body's internal operations by reducing potential restrictions in the digestive tract and permitting the diaphragm to move more freely which in turn can significantly increase cardiovascular activity.
Can Reduce Neck and Shoulder Issues - The AirPad features 4-D armrests with an extensive range of adjustment in width, depth, height, and angle. These adjustments enable each user to position the armrests to offer support where it will provide the greatest benefit, while yet remaining easily adjustable should changes in tasks warrant. Adjusting the armrests as needed ensures that the shoulder joints are not overloaded and that the muscles of the shoulders and neck are not overstrained. A side benefit of this can be a reduction to the risk of development of muscle tension which can lead to performance-reducing or potentially debilitating headaches.
Increases Mental Alertness - The movement offered by the AirPad can naturally increase cardiovascular activity. This moves more oxygen to the brain and contributes to a greater degree of mental alertness which can lead to greater productivity as users may also find themselves able to remain alert and comfortable for greater periods.
Reduces Risk of Lower Back Pain - The wide range of adjustments offered in the AirPad enable each user to configure the chair to best suit their body type and task requirements. Multiple levels of lumbar support, adjustable in height and pressure, ensure that the back receives the appropriate support for each user. Adjustable resistance in the Body Float Mechanism permits users to fine-tune this function to match their body weight and preferences, ensuring access to resistance from very light to fairly high. A tilt-adjustable seat pan assists the user to achieve a correct spinal alignment to reduce stress on the lower end of the spinal column.
Offers Core Muscle Toning - The Body-Float Function can be utilized to encourage the toning of muscle. By regularly employing the range of movement offered by the AirPad these muscles are engaged to a much greater degree as compared to static sitting. This can either be accomplished on a consistent basic throughout the workday through the small adjustments users make as they shift between tasks or on a more pro-active basis by making a point to regularly lean back through the full range of movement, even doing so several times in a row. This will also have the added benefit of encouraging cardiovascular activity with the associated improvement in overall alertness.
Can Reduce General Fatigue - Movement is key to ensuring that worker fatigue is controlled. Static sitting at a workstation reduces blood flow and encourages shallow breathing. Combined these result in a reduction in oxygen to both the brain and body tissue, contributing to overall fatigue. The Body-Float Mechanism encourages movement by permitting the AirPad to naturally follow the body rather than fixing it in a static position.
Encourages Active Movement - The range of movement offered by the AirPad encourages regular movement which keeps lubricating fluid moving through joints, reducing or eliminating stiffness, and also actively stretches muscles which can become shortened from extended static sitting.
Can Reduce Risk of Circulation Restriction in Lower Legs - The innovative "roll-back" mechanism with which the AirPad is equipped lets users adjust the depth of the seat pan to fit their body dimensions. This ensures that they receive the necessary support while at the same time ensuring that there is clearance behind the knees. This function also creates a "waterfall" front on the seat to eliminate the potential for any sharp edges against the back of the legs.
Encourages Correct Posture at Workstation - Seat height is easily adjusted using the simple hand lever. This enables users to easily set their seat to a height appropriate to their build, optimizing their posture at their workstation.
Encourages Best Positioning by Users - The AirPad encourages users to take an active interest in their chair, to adjust it as needed to optimize their comfort. A generous range of adjustments are available, easily accomplished, and easily repeated. This discourages a "set it and leave it" approach which can occur with seats which have complex mechanisms with benefits that are hard to ascertain the immediate effects of.
Advanced Membrane Back and Headrest: The AirPad features a unique membrane back and headrest which provides superior body contouring support. The membrane is breathable for increased user comfort but unlike common "mesh" used in most other chairs, this membrane is amazingly strong, resilient and highly resistant to punctures, cuts, or tears. See the " Interstuhl AirPad: The Synthesis of Lightness" video under Additional Resources for a demonstration of this strength.
Body Float Synchronous Mechanism: The AirPad features the Body Float Mechanism from Interstuhl which permits the body to glide back and down. This floating movement can be used to avoid the potential risks of static sitting, even when remaining seated. It also enables users to adopt varying postures throughout the day, opening the torso angle up to 125°. For situations where the freedom of movement may interfere with work this feature can be "locked out" using a button adjacent to the seat. See "INTERSTUHL AIRPAD: BODY FLOAT MECHANICS" video under Additional Resources.
Adjustable Resistance: The Body-Float Mechanism features adjustable resistance which can be set for the weight and comfort of each individual user. The adjustment range will cover users weighing from 100 - 310 lbs (45 - 140 kg).
Body Float Lock Option: Users can choose to limit the range of movement on the Body Float Mechanism by engaging the Lock function at one of 5 positions - This way they can change the degree of movement throughout the day and to best suit the nature of the particular task being undertaken at any time.
Mechanical Sprung Column: The AirPad includes a mechanical spring in addition to the traditional gas spring. This means that even if the seat is at the lowest height, the chair will still absorb a significant portion of the impact, reducing the potential for damage to the spine. Of course, when raised above the minimum height, the user can fully benefit from the cushioning effect of the gas spring.
Height-Adjustable Back Rest: The AirPad chair back rest features a height adjustment range of 2.25" with a 5-position snap lock mechanism. Adjustment is as simple as lifting the back upwards through the settings, each of which can lock in place. Once raised fully the snap lock mechanism automatically resets to the lowest setting.
Adjustable Lumbar Support: The AirPad has a significant lumbar curve built into the contoured form of the back. This combines with the tensioned membrane to provide firm yet flexible support that contours to the back of the user, providing a "natural" support in just the right place. This support is further enhanced by a reversible firm cushion bar which backs the membrane. By reversing this cushion bar between the flat and curved sides the user is also able to adjust the pressure of the lumbar portion of the backrest.
Tensioned Membrane Headrest: TheAirPad 3C72 Executive chair includes a fixed headrest which employs the same tensile membrane as the backrest.
Load-Dependent Casters for Hard Floors: The AirPad is equipped with soft 65 mm load-dependent casters for safety. This means that the chair will not roll away from the user when they stand up. These casters do not lock, they only exert just enough resistance so that the chair does not roll on its own when weight is removed, allowing users to re-position the chair with minimal effort. When the chair is occupied the brake fully disengages, permitting the user to move in the chair as required with no resistance.
Tilting Seat: The AirPad offers an infinite range of seat inclination adjustment from 0° to -4°. As the seat tilt originates from the rear of the seat there is no need for adjustment of back height or seat positioning when the inclination is adjusted. The seat remains in correct alignment to the back regardless of the angle selected.
Depth Adjustable Seat: Unlike most traditional office chairs, the AirPad uses a unique "rolling" mechanism which permits the front edge of the seat to be rolled "in" or "out" to shorten or deepen the depth of the seating surface. This performs the same function as the more common "sliding" seat pan but with an added benefit. A sliding seat pan will change the alignment of the seat to the back, especially the position of the area designed to provide the most support for the weight of the user. In addition, a sliding seat pan also changes the space or "gap" between the seat and the back, potentially creating an uncomfortable seating arrangement for users who require a deeper seat pan. The AirPad addresses this issue by maintaining the same seat-to-back alignment regardless of the size or build of the user. By moving the seat pan adjustment to the front, the AirPad provides all users with an optimum seating position where they are best able to benefit from all the features of the chair.
"Waterfall Front" Seatpan: The AirPad is equipped with a "waterfall" front to reduce the risk of unnecessary pressure being exerted against the back of the thighs. To accomplish this the front of the seat is "rolled" down and away from the leg. This feature is also what provides the seat pan depth adjustment.
Removable 4-D Armrests: The AirPad features 4-D Armrests that are adjustable for height, width (from the inner edge of the left armrest to the inner edge of the right armrest), depth (forward and backward) and pivot (15° to the left and right). See "Specifications" below for detailed range of movement. If desired the armrests can easily be detached using a simple Allen key.
Polished Aluminum Base: The AirPad rests upon a strong polished aluminum base with 70% Recycled Content.
Environmentally Conscious: The AirPad includes a high level of Recycled content and is 98.5% recyclable for sustainability. Packaging materials are 100% recyclable.
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Dimensions: 4" W x 9.5" D (10.2 x 24.1 cm)
Degree of Firmness: 39 Durometer Rating on the Shore Hardness Scale.
Adjustment Range:
Width (from the inner edge of the left armrest to the inner edge of the right armrest):
ON-THE-FLY: 17.5" - 19.5" (44.5 - 49.5 cm)
Mechanical: There is an additional +/- 0.5" [1.27 cm] of adjustment, available via a mechanical setting, which brings the full width range to: 17" - 20" (43.2 - 50.8 cm)
Depth (forward and backward): 2"
Pivot: 15° to the left and right from any position
Height (above seat): 8 Settings ranging from 6" - 10" (15.2 - 25.4 cm) in 0.5" (1.3 cm) increments. (release button on underside of armrest)
Fully Removable: Both armrests easily be removed with a simple Allen key (included). Note: This is also how the additional +/- 0.5" of width can be achieved.
Seat Pan:
Adjustment: Innovative Active Forward Seat Depth Adjustment via Roller Extension (see "Depth Adjustable Seat" in the Features section for further details on this function)
Width: 19" (48.3 cm)
Depth: 18.25" - 19.25" (46.4 - 48.9 cm)
Seat Tilt/Inclination:
Adjustment: Infinitely Variable between 0° and -4°. Seat tilt occurs from the back of the seat, ensuring that users of all builds are correctly positioned at any angle of tilt. Note:The seat tilt adjustment is not intended to be performed under loaded conditions. Doing so can risk damage to the tilt adjustment mechanism.
Width: 15" (38.1 cm)
Height: 6" (15.2 cm)
Height Above Backrest: The middle of the headrest is fixed at 4.75" (12.1 cm) above the top of the backrest.
Certifications: Quality management System DIN EN ISO 9001:2008, VO (EG) No. 1221/2009 (EMAS), Environmental Management System DIN EN ISO 14001:2009, OHSAS, EcoVadis Gold, Commitment to Sustainability. Quality Office, Blue Angel, Bifma e3 Level
Adjust Seat Pan Tilt When Chair is Unoccupied - It is not advisable to attempt to adjust seat tilt while the chair is in use. The seat tilt adjustment is not intended to be performed under loaded conditions and damage can be done to the tilt adjustment mechanism.
Make a point of actively engaging with the Body-Float movement throughout the day. There is the option of locking out this feature if this is desirable when performing a specific task, however, do not forget to unlock it when the task is complete as otherwise you are losing a key element of the ergonomic benefit of this chair.
Adjust the Body-Float tension to match your weight. You want to set the resistance at a level which requires some degree of effort when leaning back. Setting the resistance too low may permit the chair to shift too easily.
Note: Adjustment of the Body-Float tension is gradual and may well take numerous turns to arrive at your desired tension level. This allows you to fine-tune the setting to exactly "your" level of resistance.
Adjust the armrests to provide support when in a neutral position, with elbows resting comfortably at your sides and shoulders relaxed. The 4-D armrests are highly adjustable and can easily be repositioned when moving between task types.
Use the seatpan roller to shorten or lengthen the seatpan to match the length of your thighs. You want to have 1-2 finger widths between the back of your knees and the front of the seatpan.
When adjusting the height of your AirPad, aim for an elevation which lets your elbows open slightly more than 90° while your hands are resting on the keyboard or mouse. If your feet are unable to rest flat against the floor you may need to add a footrest to your workstation. If you are too low and the angle of your legs and torso is less than 90 then you should raise your chair to the appropriate level while also raising your input devices to a similarly appropriate height.
