design forum - DesignAddict


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	title of this thread your message It is best to replace all the shock mounts if they are old. Neoprene oxidizes, a plasticizer evaporates out over the decades, and the neoprene (or later polyurethane) loses its strength and ability to adhere to wood. Most likely, your shock mounts separated because they are old and oxidizing, losing elasticity, and don't have the internal strength to hold together any longer. Re-gluing the shock mount will not last long, and incurs additional risks. When the shock mount fails, the sitter can fall backward onto the floor, the back swings around, and a plywood "ear" of the lower back shell anchoring the shock mount (on the opposite side of the failed mount) often breaks off entirely as well, which is a fairly major repair. This happens a lot, and could injure the sitter. I am surprised the Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn't cite this problem. Assuming that your neoprene shock mounts are old, they are irreparable, and must be replaced. Concerning the shock mount types, you can use the neoprene/steel threaded plate sandwich design that Herman Miller uses, but our opinion is that design is one of the biggest design flaws found in modern furniture. That shock mount design should not be perpetuated, though Herman Miller seems to rely on their icon status and not improve it. A superior, proprietary design is to use ebonized solid beech wood plates with the same radiused shape and sectional profile as the neoprene shock mount, with holes drilled into the plates, into which threaded T-nuts are inserted, with easily replaceable neoprene bushing around the T-nuts, to provide the shock mount flexibility, without its fallibility. We have repaired numerous Eames lounge chairs over the past fifteen years with our proprietary shock mount design, and have not had any failures. Herman Miller only warrants its Lounge Chairs for 3 1/2 years, all their other furniture is warranted 15 years. (edited by DA - no advertising please) associated web images (optional) associated web link (optional) your email your password create a forums account \| you forgot your password?