Operating principle and choice of the “French clamshell” mechanism

What is a French folding bed and how to replace a French folding bed and how can you replace the folding mechanism in a sofa. And for what reasons do French folding beds break down?

A sofa is the type of upholstered furniture that is present in every home. It’s nice to relax on a soft, comfortable sofa after a hard day at work; in addition, purchasing this type of furniture makes it possible to organize additional sleeping places, both for guests at home and for yourself. To turn the sofa into a comfortable bed, it can be folded out. This is possible due to the presence of a transformation mechanism in its design.

Modern sofas have fairly durable folding mechanisms, but nothing lasts forever. Any very durable part is subject to wear and tear, and the more actively the sofa is used, the faster the mechanism wears out. What to do if the sofa no longer folds out and how to properly replace the French folding bed if it breaks? Should you replace the French folding bed yourself or call specialists who do this every day and know all the subtleties and nuances in replacing all types of mechanisms, as well as their adjustment after replacement. Our article will help you find answers to these questions!

replacement of a French folding bed

Advantages and disadvantages of the "French folding bed"

This sofa has the following advantages:

• Compact (takes up little space, looks aesthetically pleasing, suitable for small spaces)
• Cost (cheaper than similar ones released by competitors)
• Standardity (the mechanism system, parts or dimensions of the mattress meet many standards, so replacing them will not be difficult)
• Safety (when used on a good floor covering, the legs of the sofa, thanks to the design, will not be able to harm the floor)

One of the simple and convenient design options is the French folding bed.
So are the disadvantages when using:

• Not for everyday use (preferably used as a guest option)
• There are no comfortable, roomy cabinets for linen (the sofa is filled with the mechanism itself)
• Duration of the process (you need to remove the pillows, unfold the bed to form a surface)
• Weight restrictions (awning up to 80, armored structure - 13kg)

The choice of a specific model largely depends on the size and existing furnishings in the room.

From 13,000 rub.

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How to buy a folding bed?

1. You need to find out which model of folding bed is in your furniture. To determine, you need to pay attention to the number of folds of your folding bed . The French folding bed folds into 3 folds, and the American folding bed folds into 2 folds.
2. You need to know what the mattress is on (metal mesh, armor, awning).
3. You need to know the dimensions of your folding bed and the dimensions of the seat (the distance between the sides of the sofa where the folding mechanism is attached). The size of the clamshell is measured by width, including the pipes themselves.

How to find out the size of a folding bed?

Mounting a folding bed into a non-folding sofa or chair

The experience of our craftsmen allows us to change the design of furniture. And you don't need to buy a new sofa or chair. It is enough to consult with us by phone. . With an 80% chance, it is possible to change the design of your sofa or chair.

Still have questions? Call! 8 (495) 649-03-76

Types of mechanism

When considering a bed such as a French folding bed, you should choose one of two existing mechanisms. They are called mixotual and meratual. At the same time, they can be equipped with different sleeping areas.

The French folding bed transformation mechanism has become widespread.

Since the frame of almost all types of folding sofas is the same, when choosing the sleeping place itself, you can find the one you like best. This can be a mesh, an awning, battens, a combination of battens and an awning, or even a welded lattice.

Comfortable sofas with sedaflex mechanism

The French clamshell is a mechanism that is currently very popular, although quite recently it was practically not used. This is explained by the fact that the model was not particularly reliable and was not intended for regular use. The first French sofas were equipped with wicker nets, which manufacturers later replaced with awnings. Those, in turn, turned out to be inconvenient and also short-lived, losing their elasticity during use. That is why they began to be classified as furniture for organizing a guest place.

Taking into account all the previous shortcomings and the great need for such an element among owners of tiny apartments, manufacturers released a model that met all the requirements and was suitable for daily use.

The new mechanism already consisted of an awning and four armor, two of which, installed in the central part of the structure, usually bear the main load. This indicator was taken into account, and the element no longer lost its original bend, but still sagged and deformed. Today, a French folding bed has been invented for daily use, consisting of one tent and ten armor. These devices can be considered the most reliable and durable. They last for several years with daily use. Such structures can withstand loads of up to 180 kilograms.

The advantages include:

• Has a low cost;
• In normal times it is used as a sitting place, and if necessary it can be a sleeping bed for guests;
• Has a comfortable surface;
• Withstands heavy weight;
• Suitable for almost any interior.

Some manufacturers produce their own version of French sofas that are suitable for daily use. They consist of welded metal mesh and can withstand weights of up to 200 kg. But such options are usually made to order. Customer reviews indicate that it is better not to use French Euro folding beds for daily use.

How does this mechanism work?

This folding bed is a triple folding design. The sleeping place itself looks like three parts that are connected to each other by hinges.

Weigh the pros and cons, decide what you expect from this piece of furniture.

Before unfolding such a bed, it is necessary to remove all unnecessary elements (pillows), install the mechanism itself horizontally by unfolding all sections.

Modern sofas are equipped with various mechanisms that allow you to turn them into full-fledged sleeping places.

The main one of these three parts is attached near the back, resting on the mounting angle. The next two, intended for the body and legs, are installed on separate supports. Thus, as a result, you get a complete place to sleep or relax.

What is a lamella

Before you begin, you need to familiarize yourself with the description of the features of the lamellas in more detail. Lamels are wooden structures that have a curved shape. Their characteristic features include a high level of elasticity and elasticity. It is thanks to these features that the mattress can be securely fixed.

Such wood products are laid out at a distance of 2-5 centimeters. This allows slatted beds to be used by both thin and overweight people. The thickness of one plank reaches ten millimeters, and the width does not exceed thirty. However, cheap beds can use boards 4-5 millimeters thick.

How to choose the right one

This French mechanism is used for both corner and straight types of sofas.

A corner sofa will take up more space in the room.

When choosing, you should pay special attention to:

• Materials from which this model is made, to what extent it meets both production standards and your taste
• The mechanism, it is necessary to check its working condition and make sure that there are no breakdowns
• Filler, it is better to clarify what it is made of, how durable the material is and how hypoallergenic it is
• Upholstery, also the quality of the material, its wear resistance, it should be taken into account that the upholstery is used throughout the day.

The folding part of the sofa is made in the form of a metal frame.

Prices for repairing folding sofas

Upholstery of a standard sofa starts from 5,000 rubles , see all prices.

Upholstery materials

A wide variety of materials are used for sofa upholstery:

• leatherette;
• Genuine Leather;
• eco leather;
• velours;
• microfiber;
• suede leather;
• flock and many other fabrics.

Our catalog contains a large selection of colors. Therefore, clients will be able not only to restore the original appearance of the furniture, but also to decorate the interior of the room after restyling.

Stages of upholstery replacement

Repairing folding sofas is not fundamentally different from repairing other types of upholstered furniture. The work is performed in the following order:

1. visit of the master. The specialist selects the desired type and color of fabric, takes measurements and determines the cost of the work;
2. conclusion of a contract. After agreeing on all the points, we enter into an agreement for the provision of furniture repair services;
3. performing repairs. The master removes the old upholstery and replaces it with new material. If necessary, change the filler. Repairs are carried out in a workshop or at home;
4. acceptance of the order. As the repair is completed, the client checks the quality of the work for compliance with the agreed requirements. The client makes the final payment and picks up the restored furniture.

If necessary, you can send a photo of the folding sofa for a preliminary price calculation. Many years of experience allows us to estimate the cost with high accuracy.

What types of breakdowns happen?

The main complaints when transforming these sofas are creaking parts and jamming of the mechanism.

A durable metal frame provides reliable support for the installed mattress.

But in any case, it is necessary to first establish the exact cause of the breakdown.

In case of serious damage to the mechanism, you should contact a specialist.

If this:

• The rivets that are responsible for connecting the moving parts of the mechanism have broken. They can simply be replaced with bolts of suitable size. We drill out the old parts using a drill and a drill bit, select the required bolt, insert it into the hole remaining from under the rivet, and tighten the nut on it. It is better to check all rivets in advance and change them if necessary.
• If the support legs are damaged, repairing them yourself is hardly possible; they must be completely replaced with new ones.
• Breakage or deformation of the necessary components of the main frame of the folding bed, unfortunately, also cannot be repaired and requires replacement of the part.
• Replacing battens or lamellas is quite simple; if they are deformed or broken, they are replaced with new ones. The old part is removed from the plate holder (the bolts are unscrewed) and the new one is installed in the reverse order. If the plate holder itself is broken, it must be replaced with a working one.
• The cause of the mechanism jamming can be determined by inspection. Sometimes some foreign things or even the casing itself, which has gotten into the working mechanism, can interfere with proper functioning. In this case, the unnecessary item is simply removed.
• Some people, when the French mechanism creaks, complain about the creaking of parts. This problem can be resolved as quickly as possible. You need to take any oil that is intended for technical use and lubricate all the moving parts of your sofa with it. After lubricating, you need to fold and unfold the bed several times, this way the lubricant will penetrate into all places and you will eliminate the squeak. The main thing is to remember to remove the mattress before doing this.

The durability of a mechanism depends on its quality.
You can repair a French folding bed yourself. If, of course, the breakdown allows it. As can be seen from the article, some parts of such a sofa are simply beyond repair.

You should not use the folding mechanism of the sofa often.

The service life of such pieces of furniture is about seven years with not too active use. Therefore, if you can repair this mechanism yourself, that’s great.

After all, it’s sometimes so difficult to part with beautiful, beloved and functional furniture. If not, don’t hesitate, buy a new one.

Elegant and comfortable sofas are designed to become the highlight of any room!

Warning

You should always remember that only a trained specialist with the necessary set of tools can carry out a major repair of the sofa folding mechanism. He will always be able to accurately determine and eliminate the cause of the breakdown at a high quality level.

Without the proper experience, such repairs can lead to even greater malfunctions, therefore, if a problem is discovered, very carefully study the cause of the breakdown of your favorite sofa, evaluate the complexity of the design and your strengths, and also, if you still decide to repair the sofa mechanisms yourself , approach the process itself very responsibly.

Methods for restoring an old bed

If the bed is too old, you can restore it and make it look like new furniture. During the restoration process, it is necessary to carefully inspect the structure and identify parts that require replacement. Most often, the springs and mattress are changed during restoration. Sometimes people decide to replace worn side panels. To do this, you will have to purchase new panels that are suitable for the restored sofa. If the side parts are not very worn, you can sand them and varnish them. It is recommended to use varnish mixtures that have a mahogany tint.

How to make a folding bed yourself?

First you need to decide on the materials and decide in advance what it will consist of: it could be wood, metal, MDF boards. Cots made from the latter option are the most economical way to create additional space. In addition, MDF boards are easy to work with.

Tools you will need: pencil, tape measure, circular saw, grinding angle, drills, sandpaper, safety glasses. First you need to take two boards that will match the length of the mattress. Cut the boards to the required size - in the future they will be sides. The crossbars are connected to the load-bearing ones.

Then the back wall is connected, a shelf is made to attach the base. It must be secured inside the box itself. The final stage will be creating a frame for the mattress. It will be attached from the middle of its bottom. During work, two end boards and two side boards are taken. Using self-tapping screws, you need to make some kind of folds in advance. After all these manipulations, the frame must be assembled and the bottom, consisting of a sheet of plywood, must be nailed.

The supports are made from timber. The unfolding and folding mechanism is selected at your discretion.

What to do if the sofa falls in the middle?

Many people have logical questions about how to make a sofa that has sunk in the center of the seat. Don’t panic, you can solve the problem yourself and at home. This procedure will take some time and during repairs you may need the help of your friends, since the dimensions of the sofa can be quite large. But as a result, you will receive updated furniture that will last even longer and have a pleasant appearance.

But what to do if the depth of the sofa begins to sag very much? Do not despair, any soft sofa will become deformed over time and, of course, it can be restored. Buying a new model will in any case cost more than correcting old defects. Moreover, many people love their furniture and do not want to change the features of the interior.

What do you need to work with a sofa?

Repairing a dented sofa is easy if you prepare in advance all the elements necessary for the work. The final result depends on you, because you can make it harder or, on the contrary, correct it and create a soft sofa that resembles a feather bed. Any sofa will eventually sag, so you need to be prepared for this course of events. So, in order to restore sagging sofas, you need to have on hand:

• foam seal;
• pliers;
• foam;
• fabric tape.

Sofas are the part of the furniture on which household members spend most of their time. Therefore, it’s normal to push through over time, the main thing is to know how to correct the situation.

Step-by-step description of the work

First, you should turn your sofa over so that its frame can be seen. All work depends on this action, since this is the only way to understand what is damaged in the furniture. Most often, in this case, the frame itself breaks, less often the foam rubber and upholstery are dented. In any case, the damage can be fixed.

When replacing the frame, you need to install not only new boards, but also all the screws, since corrosion can form on the old ones, causing various types of fungi. With foam rubber things are even simpler; just use an anti-stapler to remove the upholstery and replace the soft part.

In some cases, people try to immediately change the upholstery of furniture, because in this way it looks newer and fresher, but at the same time has a shape familiar to household members.

How to fix a sofa yourself if it collapses in the middle? Check the places where the pillows are placed. Perhaps someone just sat down very sharply and broke the base. Replacing it is simple; you just need to remove the cushions, select the boards to size and secure them carefully. You can put plywood on top for density.

A bigger problem could be that the springs on the sofa break. In order to restore furniture, you will need to remove the upholstery, the soft layer and find the cause of the unevenness. Then you should carefully remove the broken part with pliers, and then screw in a new spring. They are sold in many hardware stores, so you won’t have to look for a long time for the part. The main thing is to secure it tightly at the base, otherwise you will have to disassemble the upholstered furniture again.

In some cases, the pillows themselves may be the cause of the unevenness of the sofa. For example, after washing they became much softer than before, and now, when you sit on them, you feel like you’re falling through. Fixing this problem is as easy as shelling pears. You need to add more filling to the pillows, and then carefully sew them together.

Before you begin, evaluate the problem at hand. Based on this, already purchase the material and start doing business. Remember that even a beginner in this field can easily cope with the task.

How to cheaply and quickly make a cot from what you have on hand

Not everyone has nice and large apartments that can comfortably accommodate all guests and relatives. There are a lot of owners of small-sized apartments, so you have to come up with something and get compact sleeping places. In this case, a folding bed helps a lot.

A folding bed is a fairly compact and mobile item. It does not take up much free space and is easy to clean after use. If you do it yourself, you can create a unique item that will have no analogues anywhere. An extra bed can easily and happily accommodate overnight guests without compromising anyone’s comfort.