Instructions and features of fastening a furniture gas lift

Gas elevators are modern lifting devices for the improvement of premises. They can be used for upholstered furniture or wardrobes, expanding their range of applications.

What is a furniture gas lift

A gas lift is a lift that consists of a cylinder and a piston. This mechanism is part of the bracket group. Its main purpose is to lift the element that opens up and hold it at a right angle. An inert gas is placed in the cylinder, which creates a shock absorption effect.

This prevents the spring, which is in the lift, from being abruptly and arbitrarily compressed or unclenched.

Note! The gas lift is a sealed structure into which nitrogen is pumped during production. For this reason, if damaged, the mechanism cannot be repaired.

The mechanism provides smooth and precise door opening, eliminating backlash. This allows you to create conditions for a long service life of the opening elements while maintaining an ideal appearance.

At the same time, when opening the cabinet, there is no need to hold the sash, since the position is fixed.

Where is applied

Gas lifts can be used for:

• parts of the kitchen set that are constantly used when opening and closing should be done silently, without damaging the integrity of the products;
• spacious boxes located in the living room, bedroom, hallway and other rooms;
• bar facades;
• offices where the combination of versatility and style of each element is important;
• making poufs.

These mechanisms are in high demand. They differ in size and shade, depending on the purpose.

Existing varieties of gas elevators

The design of gas lifts also differs depending on the field of application. In the direction of action, they are:

1. Direct action. In such systems, the initial position of the stem is to be extended to its full length. The direct action system is widely used in furniture manufacturing.
2. Reverse action. Here, the initial position of the stem is recessed, and during operation it extends.

By the level of pressure in the cylinder, the devices can be:

1. High pressure. These lifters consist of a rod and a cylinder filled with nitrogen. When the rod enters the cylinder, the volume of the latter decreases, and the pressure in it increases.
2. Low pressure. This design consists of a pair of hollow cylinders filled with compressed nitrogen. During compression, the volume of gas increases, while the pressure inside the spring increases.

Note! The service life of the low pressure mechanism is almost unlimited, and its adjustment and maintenance can be performed independently.

According to the execution of the mechanism, gas lifts for furniture are:

1. Frictional (step by step).This is the simplest option when the door is opened. In order for the sash to open on its own and lock at the required level, you need to pull it a little. A similar force should be applied to close the door, after which the mechanism will lower the door.
2. Automatic. These are mechanisms of more modern and efficient technology that make furniture very comfortable to use. To open the sash, you need to press it lightly. After a fixed time, the door will close automatically.

Gas lift interlocks are as follows:

1. Standard (elastic). The blocking of the system occurs at a specific point along the direction of movement of the piston.
   

   Note! This mechanism allows for the possibility of voluntary movement.

2. Ambivalent. They are elastic when pressed and stiff when pulled out.
3. Combined. Such interlocks are capable of rigidly fixing the device in both directions. In this case, spontaneous displacement of the spring is excluded.

Installation rules

Before attaching the gas lift, the following points should be considered:

• on one front it is worth mounting two gas lifts so that when opening there is no great stress, which can cause a skew;
• due to the high liquid level, it is impractical to use gas lifts with an effort of 100 Newtons in most cases;
  

  Note! Such a mechanism is suitable for installation on large and massive doors.

• adjustment of the front with a lifting mechanism is carried out by loops that attach it to the box;
• the assembly of the box in which the fittings will be mounted must be preceded by the installation of fasteners;
• by moving the place of installation of fasteners to the front part of the side, you can increase the angle to which the door will open;
• the installation of automatic elements requires strict adherence to the instructions.

Preparing the necessary tools

The following tools are required for installation:

• ruler, meter or tape measure;
• hammer;
• drill (preferably electric);
• pliers;
• screwdriver or screwdriver.

Carrying out markings before installation

Before installing the gas lift on the kitchen cabinet, it is necessary to make markings in the niche, as well as calculations for accurate installation. It is worth marking the centers for the attachment points on the door and on the sides of the niche.

First of all, you should check the conformity of the equipment. For example, a cabinet with a height of 365 mm will require a 355 mm gas lift. The markup order is as follows:

1. Mark the middle of the mount on the sidewalls. To do this, measure 37 mm from the front side of the sidewall, and 366 mm from the inside of the top cover.
2. Mark the center of the attachment on the sash. To do this, measure a segment equal to the height of the attachment on the side of the cabinet, usually 19 mm from the side end, and 128 mm from the top cut.

Step-by-step installation instructions

Instructions for installing a furniture gas lift on a kitchen cabinet are as follows:

1. Fasten the bases to the sidewalls in the marked places.
2. Install the spring clips and plates. The brackets must be screwed in and the elevator heads will snap directly onto them.
3. Attach the center of the attachment so that it matches the markings. The base is attached with three or four screws or self-tapping screws. In this case, the head of the structure must be fixed in the holes.
   

   Important! If the plate is bent, the mechanism will not work.

4. Perform similar actions, fixing the gas lift on the door. In this case, a hinge angle of 8 ° should be achieved.

The procedure for installing the mechanism on the bed is as follows:

1. Drill three holes at the markings (14-15 cm from the edge, at the height of the legs).
2. Bolt the lower part of the mechanism.
3. Attach the corner of the device to the frame of the structure.
4. Lower the base of the mechanism deep into the frame and mark four holes on each side. In this case, the future attachment points must correspond to the lower bar of the device.
5. Open frame and drill holes.
6. Fasten the upper bar in such a way that there is a gap between the box and the frame for the full functioning of the mechanism.

Adjustment

When adjusting, it should be borne in mind that the distance from the ceiling to the top of the cabinet should exceed the dimensions of the door, since the door will open upwards and it should not touch the ceiling.

The adjustment allows the doors to operate slowly and quietly. For it, the basic fastening elements of the product should be tightened.

What are the criteria for choosing a gas elevator

When choosing a gas lift, one should take into account the size of the sash and the spring force of compression. The higher the door, the longer the lift is required and the larger the body will be. When calculating the spring force, keep in mind that a load of 1 kg requires 10 Newtons.

Note! The force required can be calculated by weighing the sash.

On the modern market, there are elevators with an established strength of 60 to 140 Newtons. With the knowledge of the weight, it will not be difficult to pick up an elevator.

Mechanisms can have both automatic and step-by-step design. In the first version, the doors open when a button is pressed, and the doors close automatically, that is, the furniture is equipped with an electric drive. The second version presents a classic mechanism with a handle.

Popular manufacturers and top models

The most popular gas lift manufacturers are the following:

1. Blum. The best product of the company is the Aventos movement. It ensures smooth, quiet and easy closing of even massive and folding kitchen fronts. The company offers a wide range of products, which makes it possible to choose a mechanism for any furniture. Various types of lifting mechanisms are produced - vertical, folding, swivel, folding, small swivel. Their service life is at least 20 years.
2. Grass Kinvaro. Its products are distinguished by their durability and quality. The company's products are quiet, compact and easy to use. The company is considered to be the leader in the production of vertical gas lifts.
3. HAFELE. The company specializes in the production of rotary mechanisms, which are multifunctional sets of parts for the formation of high-quality and reliable hanging cabinets. The brand has developed and manufactures mechanisms used for corner pull-out shelves.

Installing a gas lift on a kitchen cabinet or bed is a practical solution to increase the comfort of using furniture. Despite the rather complex mechanism, the installation of the structure is not difficult, and with careful work, you can get a reliable device.

Video: how to install a furniture gas lift