What sofa mechanisms exist and their description
A folding sofa is not just beautiful, but also multifunctional furniture. With it, you can easily compensate for the lack of free space in the apartment. However, it is rather difficult to choose a suitable model: it is important to take into account such a nuance, which sofa transformation mechanisms are recognized as the most convenient and reliable, to study the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
Existing folding mechanisms and their description
A sound and healthy sleep is important for maintaining human health. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to put a double bed in the apartment. Then a folding sofa comes to the rescue. Considering that such furniture is intended for receiving guests or relaxing after a working day, as well as for sleeping, it is necessary to choose high-quality models. Otherwise, such a sofa will become an instrument for night torture, where it will not be possible to completely relax and rest. Particular attention is paid to the method of unfolding, because the furniture will have to be transformed at least twice in one day.
The range of folding sofas is quite wide, and sometimes customers get lost. To make it easier for yourself, you need to decide in advance on the required characteristics, as well as find out which types of sofas have managed to prove themselves, and which, on the contrary, are not the most comfortable.
Dolphin
"Dolphin" is more often used for corner sofas, but sometimes it is also found among straight sofas. For transformation, it is enough to roll the lower section of the long side forward, and then slightly lift it by the handle. The additional section is as wide as the sofa seat, and after being lifted it forms a single surface. The backrest consists of several pillows, which must be removed when preparing the resting area.
The mechanism itself is quite durable and can withstand significant loads, which will be a plus for the owners.
Important! If we talk about the shortcomings, it is important to highlight the rapid wear and tear, as well as the inconvenience of unfolding if there is a carpet on the floor in the living room.
Eurobook
The folding scheme looks like this:
- the seat slides out due to the wheels;
- the backrest is lowered into the opened place, after which a double bed is obtained.
Of the advantages, they note the simplicity and durability, as well as the presence of a spacious box for storing bedding, which is hidden under the seat. The owners will be able to move the transforming sofa close to the wall, which significantly saves space in the apartment.
However, this variety is not suitable for all owners. The fact is that the seat is wide, which makes it inconvenient to lean on the back, but the problem can be solved if you place removable cushions on the back, which are often included.
Book
From the name it is already possible to conclude about the bedding system. To get the usual double bed, it is enough to raise the seat, and the backrest tilts back and takes a horizontal position. In the next step, the seat is slightly pressed against the lowered backrest until a characteristic click, and then the seat can also be lowered.
To assemble the sofa, all steps are repeated in reverse order. The mechanism was developed a very long time ago and has successfully proven itself: it is one of the most durable and hardy structures known today. However, the model is not without its drawbacks: the design features of the "Book" do not allow to move it to the wall, and the sleeping place is small. Also, of the shortcomings, it is important to highlight the gap in the middle, which appears at the place where the two halves join.
Important! Such sofas are more suitable for the hall and one-time overnight stays of guests, and when choosing it for every day, you will have to come to terms with the need to constantly move it, which negatively affects linoleum or laminate.
Click-gag aka Tango
This is a more modern analogue of the sofa-book. Their difference lies in the ability not only to lower and raise the backrest by 90 degrees, but also to fix it in a semi-lowered state, so that rest and watching movies become even more comfortable. Additionally, the model is equipped with armrests, which, after unfolding the bed, serve as a headrest.
The mechanism is durable, and at the bottom there is a spacious box for bedding. Nevertheless, "Click-Klyak" is not without a drawback - it cannot be placed tightly against the wall, or you will have to constantly move it before preparing the bed.
Tick tock
The mechanism is similar to the “Eurobook”: to prepare the usual sleeping place, the seat is slightly raised and then pushed forward. A soft back is tilted into the opened place and a single surface with an almost imperceptible gap is obtained.
The double bed turns out to be spacious, but the sofa in the folded state will need pillows to comfortably sit back and relax.
Also, one of the advantages is the presence of a spacious linen box.
French clamshell
For everyday needs, this is not the best option, but it is successfully used as a temporary bed for a guest in many apartments and houses.
The backrest is made of several pillows, which should be removed during transformation. The seat converts from 3 parts forward, just like conventional folding beds. The bed turns out to be quite large and soft, but not very comfortable due to the presence of cracks in the mattress.
Important! The mechanism is unreliable and there is no container for storing bed linen.
Sedaflex
It is immediately important to note here that the mechanism of the American clamshell is recognized as more durable and strong when compared with the previous version and can withstand frequent unfolding. To get a double bed, the owners roll forward half of the folded mattress from the transforming sofa. The seat rises out of the drawer and folds forward. Here, too, the seams between the sections create an inconvenience and the impossibility of storing blankets and pillows.
Italian clamshell
This is another option that is not suitable for unfolding every day. However, unlike the previous two options, it is even more reliable.
For transformation, without removing the pillows from the back, the owners pull it forward by the back. The mechanism is two-fold and is fixed on a sturdy lattice with elastic straps. The cushions are securely attached to the body and do not need to be removed. It is very convenient and in just a couple of moments guests will be able to get a long-awaited sleeping place.
Laundry box not provided.
Accordion
Considering the entire list of existing mechanisms, we must not forget to mention such a universal folding model. The principle is similar to an accordion: the seat rises and moves back a little, then you can put it on the floor. Further movement of the body is carried out by the wheels: the seat is pulled forward, and behind it is a mattress that wraps around the back on both sides.
The transforming bed turns out to be quite spacious, there are no seams and joints, it is possible to place a box under the seat for storing blankets, pillows or other accessories, the orthopedic base guarantees a healthy sleep. However, despite its versatility, the assembled sofa itself is quite compact in size. It would seem that this is the most successful option for a small room. However, no: this folding principle requires a lot of free space in front, which is sometimes impossible.
Important! The mechanism itself is quite durable and perfect for daily transformations, but it takes some effort.
Puma
Quiet, neat and soft sofas unfold like the tread of a wild cat. To prepare the sleeping place, it is enough to roll out and raise the seat slightly, after which it rises and pulls out the part that is compactly folded in the body. No effort is required from the owners - the mechanism does everything on its own and takes the load upon itself.
Thanks to this unfolding principle, even the most expensive and demanding floor covering remains intact, because the legs or wheels do not run on the floor. However, the model is not devoid of a minus: straight transforming sofas do not provide for a box for storing linen, blankets and pillows, which will be an unforgivable mistake for a small apartment where there is no way to install an additional curbstone.
Important! In corner models, the box is located under the ottoman.
Saber
Such sofas, or rather mechanisms, are in the roll-out category: one half, where they sit, is pushed forward, and the back is lowered behind it. The next step is to overturn the headrest, but some models are limited to only two sections during development. At the bottom, when the seat half is tilted, you can see a box for storing blankets and pillows, which helps to save missing space in the closet.
Butterfly
Convertible sofas with the butterfly folding principle are among the most reliable and durable. The structure can withstand significant loads. Today this model is one of the most common among buyers. To prepare a double bed, you only need a couple of movements: the seat moves away from the main frame, and the back rests forward into the free space.
Even a small owner can cope with such a sofa and it does not take up much space, therefore it is perfect for small rooms, including children's rooms. The bed is low, which can be a disadvantage.
Other models of sofa unfolding mechanisms
In addition to the above types, there are others, but less demanded. One of them is outdoor. Such a sofa is not suitable as a bed for every day, because the mattress is laid out directly on the floor, and when assembled it is a part of the body - a seat. The design is primitive and will not break, but the model does not provide for the possibility of storing linen.
Another unknown option is the recliner. Sofas imply the transformation of each part separately by changing the inclination of individual components. From the outside, it looks like several chairs connected together, which will be a great place for evening relaxation. Some models are even equipped with vibrating massagers, adjustable control panels. A double bed, in its usual sense, cannot be disassembled on such a sofa. Also among the minuses: there is no way to fold pillows and blankets, high cost.
Roll-out sofas
These types of sofas by the type of transformation are recognized as the most common, affordable and comfortable for sleeping. Sliding mechanisms are primitive and will last a long time, are convenient for small rooms, equipped with spacious drawers. After transformation, the bed turns out to be a single one and there are practically no gaps between the component parts.
However, the floor covering can deteriorate from the constant driving of the wheels, but the problem can be completely solved if the standard plastic wheels are replaced with rubber ones. In addition, it is important to consider the environment so that the carpet does not impede the movement of the seat.
With swivel mechanism
These are the most recent and modern options: to get a bed, one half is simply moved to the other by rotating 90 degrees in the horizontal plane. They are quite rare on sale, despite the convenience. Their cost is quite high, so buyers will have to work hard to find a reliable seller.
Which mechanism is better and more reliable
The modern assortment of upholstered furniture offers customers a variety of options for furnishing small apartments, children's rooms or living rooms: each type of folding has its own positive and negative characteristics.
Choosing a sofa on which you plan to sleep every day, preference is given to reliability: a eurobook, a pantograph, a dolphin or a cougar. Such mechanisms have successfully proven themselves among thousands of buyers: the mechanisms are primitive, but durable.
For furnishing a spacious hall, where guests will occasionally sleep, preference is given to the external state.
Having studied all the options in detail, the buyer will be able to determine for himself the priority mechanisms for unfolding the sofas, which to some extent will facilitate his choice. The only thing left is to choose a seller who uses high-quality accessories and textiles.
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