Thanks to the founders of the interior style of contemporary music, transforming furniture appeared in our homes. It has become an indispensable attribute of small-sized apartments, where one room serves as a living room, bedroom, study and children's room. Already become a classic sofa book took its rightful place in many homes. In the afternoon it is the central place in the living room, and in the evening it turns into a sleeping place. In the article, we will tell you how to properly assemble a sofa book without damaging the mechanisms so that it serves faithfully for many years.
Classification of sofas
A sofa with a “book” transformation mechanism is one of the most popular models, due to which there are several of its varieties: click-gag, euro-book, pantograph.
Classic sofa book
This model is familiar to many since childhood. Such a sofa was in almost every Soviet living room. When folded, it takes up a minimum of space and has a spacious linen drawer at the bottom. In order to decompose the structure, it was necessary to move it away from the wall, then raise the seat to a characteristic click and lower it. The sofa turned into a spacious sleeping place for two people. It could be used as a resting place without folding out: the width of the seat corresponds to the width of a single bed. There are models with and without armrests. The latter take up less space.
Compactness and versatility are the main advantages of a sofa-book. The disadvantages include the need to move the piece of furniture before the transformation, the severity of the structure and the rather weak spring mechanism.
The first disadvantage contributes to floor wear. In order to push and transform the structure, it is necessary to exert physical strength, the child will not cope with this task. Old models on a wooden frame were especially heavy, unlike modern sofas on a metal frame. The details of the transformation mechanism are quite thin, and if there are errors in the assembly, as well as violation of the recommendations for folding and unfolding the structure, they easily bend, lock and break. In addition, the mechanism needs periodic lubrication with machine oil. How to assemble a sofa book with a classic mechanism, we will describe below.
A modernized version of the classic sofa-book is the click-gag mechanism. It has an additional "reclining" position and adjustable armrests. Such a mechanism is even less reliable than the classical model.
Sofa Euro Book
This model is equipped with a sliding mechanism on the rails. The seat is horizontally extended until it stops, then the backrest is laid on the vacant seat. This mechanism is considered one of the most reliable. The sleeping place is spacious, and large linen boxes are convenient to use for storage. The transformation of the sofa takes place without much effort, so even children and elderly people can cope with it.
A variety of Euro-books are sofas with a pantograph transformation mechanism. Instead of guide rollers, they are equipped with a "walking" mechanism. To turn the sofa into a sleeping place, you need to raise and pull the seat. Thanks to the leverage, it will itself be in the correct position. Next, lower the back similar to the Euro-book. This system protects the floor from damage during daily use.
Advantages and disadvantages of a sofa book
The main advantages of the design:
- It occupies a minimum of space both in assembled and unfolded form. This advantage is especially true for modern apartments with a small area of rooms.
- Universality. The sofa is used to relax in the living room and as a bed.
- Simple transformation. Even a child can handle the Euro-book mechanism, so such sofas are suitable for daily use.
- Spacious berth. Perfectly flat surface provides a comfortable sleep. Some manufacturers complement sofas with an orthopedic base.
- A variety of frame, filler and upholstery options.
- Box for linen. The internal compartment allows you to neatly and safely store pillows, blankets and other large items.
- Simple assembly. Any owner can independently assemble such a sofa.
Among the shortcomings of the sofa-books should be mentioned:
- Classic models on a wooden frame are quite heavy, which can cause difficulties for physically weak people.
- The sofa-book requires a space of 10-15 cm from the wall for transformation, so it often has to be moved, which spoils the floor covering. Euro books and pantographs do not have this drawback.
- The transformation mechanism in a classic sofa-book and click-gag often breaks due to the subtlety of metal parts. It is also required to distribute the load during the transformation and raise the seat with both hands for the middle part.
Instruments
Before you ask yourself how to assemble a sofa book, you need to prepare the tools and materials that will be needed in the process. It:
- adjustable spanners and wrenches;
- screwdriver;
- screwdriver;
- assembly instructions (provided by the manufacturer if the sofa is new);
- structural elements of the sofa.
You also need an assistant (since assembling a sofa book yourself is a difficult task because of the heaviness and large dimensions of the structure, you should attract a partner). And yet - about an hour of free time and a reserve of patience.
How to assemble a sofa book (instructions)
Old versions of the construction were going harder due to the massiveness of the case, which can not be said about modern models. To begin with, you should free the elements of the sofa from the protective film and, referring to the instructions, check the presence of all the accessories. If everything is in order, you can proceed. It will not be difficult to assemble the mechanism of the sofa-book if you follow the instructions prepared by us.
At the first stage, legs and furniture rollers are screwed. The assembled sofa will be harder to turn over. If the design has a box for linen, the assembly begins with it. First, the armrests are screwed to it. Experts recommend not tightening the nuts too tight, then it will be easier to unscrew them in case of an error during assembly. Next, attach the seat, then the back.
When the sofa is already assembled, it is necessary to check the operation of the transformation mechanism. The process should go smoothly, without jamming and excessive effort. Finally, tighten the nuts so that the structure does not loosen during operation.
A Euro-book sofa and a pantograph are assembled on a similar pattern.
We hope this instruction on how to assemble a sofa book will help save time and save nerves when assembling upholstered furniture yourself.
The sofa plays a major role in the living room, and in a small apartment it often also serves as a sleeping place. One of the most popular folding sofas is an upholstered furniture with a “book” transformation mechanism. Such models are convenient, versatile, occupy a minimum of space, are diverse in design, and feature a flat and spacious berth. The question of how to assemble a sofa book is of interest to many owners due to the prevalence and popularity of this model.