split swap sets issue

Hi. just wanted to check and I have searched but perhaps havent used the right terms... so... When building up the swap sets is it possible to have sets below and above a visible object that isnt in the swap set? My case is that I have arms in sets animating actions and some are behind the arm of a chair and others in front. The chair arm is a layer between those that need to be in front and those behind (see image of heirachy). What is happening is the sets in front change coordinates to somewhere off their position and and hid behind elements that are lower in the stack. Many Thanks alan