Hello! Welcome to Furniture & Textiles.
Let's talk about sofas with a pantograph transformation mechanism.
After reading, you will understand: the operating principle of the sofa folding mechanism, the design features of pantographs, their advantages and disadvantages.
Pantograph refers to models of sofas for sleeping that fold forward.
In addition to the name pantograph, such sofas have a number of other names:
- tick-tock - apparently because the mechanism installed in the sofa for unfolding it is called pendulum by experts
- walking “Eurobook” - since the principle of operation of the pantograph is similar to the “Eurobook”, and the movement of the folding section of the sofa resembles a step up and forward, as if the sofa is walking and overcoming an obstacle
- puma - probably due to the similarity of the trajectory of the folding section of the pantograph with the jump of a graceful puma
In any case, different names do not affect either the operating principle of the sofa mechanism or its main characteristics. This is more of a marketing gimmick to make your product pseudo-unique.
Possible shapes of pantograph sofas
Straight sofa pantograph
This is the simplest option. Has storage space inside the sofa. Straight models can be either with or without armrests.
Models without armrests will fit well into minimalist interiors and Japanese-style interiors.
Corner sofa pantograph
The sofa can be with right and left corners. Contains an additional built-in storage box.
U-shaped sofa pantograph
One or two sections of such a sofa usually have a gas strut - a lift to raise the section to a vertical position, and inside the frame, under this section there is additional storage space.
Sofa pantograph with additional options
Although additional options do not significantly change the shape of the sofa, I deliberately separated them into a separate category so that you, too, are aware of such possibilities. There may be additional poufs in the color of the upholstery, cabinets built into the armrests, lamps, and even USB ports for connecting various devices.
Note!
The transformation of seat sections can be either autonomous - this is when each seat cushion has its own mechanism - or central, when all sections are fixed to one frame and move simultaneously.
The photo shows a pantograph sofa with a sectional layout.
The stand-alone option is more mobile and can be used to give the sofa different shapes, but the price of such sofas is significantly higher.
A useful option of the pantograph is the presence of spacious drawers for storing linen; sofas of all shapes have them.
How best to use
A similar mechanism is most often used for large-sized sofas, as well as products with a modular configuration. Today, models with built-in shelves in the armrest area are very popular. Leather is often used as upholstery material, which adds status to the product. But fabric upholstery will also look very advantageous.
A sofa that transforms into a bed using the Pantograph mechanism will be an excellent option for everyday use. It has a luxurious and attractive appearance when assembled and provides a wide and level sleeping area when disassembled.
Often this sofa comes with decorative pillows and bolsters, which should be adjusted during the transformation. Pillows can be produced with removable covers that are easy to change and clean. This product can provide comfort and convenience during use. A wide selection of sofas with a pantograph transformation mechanism can be found in our catalog.
The working principle of the sofa pantograph mechanism
The pantograph became a follower of the popular “Eurobook”. These sofas are very similar. The main difference is the pendulum mechanism that appeared in the pantograph, which serves to transform the sofa into a bed. And makes this transformation easy and smooth.
To unfold the sofa, you need to pull the seat from the front from below, moving it up and towards you. The sofa section will move up and forward and then rest on the floor on its support legs.
After this, in the space freed from moving the sofa seat, you need to lay the back of the sofa. The back of the sofa is equipped with a swivel mechanism and easily tilts from a vertical position to a horizontal position and back.
As a result of all movements, we will get a flat, comfortable sleeping place.
To fold the sofa , raise the backrest back to a vertical position. We pull the seat of the sofa from the front from below, moving it up and away from us and put it in its original position.
Pantograph sofa mechanism diagram
The pantograph mechanism is visually similar to an hourglass. A spring in the middle facilitates the movement of the section during transformation.
Each sofa contains two mechanisms. They are located on the side walls of the sofa frame. To give strength to the structure and balance its operation, the mechanisms are fastened together by a transverse beam - it is usually made of a square pipe. Pay attention to the photo below. The horizontal rail under the seat is the beam.
A section of the sofa seat frame is attached to the top shelf of the mechanism.
The diagram shows the principle of operation of the mechanism.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages include the following:
- Ease of use.
- Reliability and durability.
- Smooth sleeping surface.
- Spacious linen drawer.
- When unfolded, the legs do not damage the floor covering.
There are not many disadvantages of tick-tock sofas, but they still exist:
- For some, the seat when folded may seem too wide;
- the design consists of a large number of parts, which complicates the repair of furniture if it breaks;
- high price.
Pantograph sofa design
Frame
The frame of the sofa base is made of wood, metal, chipboard or MDF. Of course, the strongest frame is made of metal, followed by wood, MDF and the weakest chipboard. I do not recommend buying a sofa with such a frame.
The frame of the sofa sections can be made of metal mesh or wooden slats. These materials are identical in strength.
Slats will be more expensive because they are considered more comfortable for sitting and lying, although this is a controversial statement. Especially if the sofa cushions are made of a spring block, it completely neutralizes the charms of the slats. Therefore, I see no point in overpaying for them .
Pillow filler
The sofa cushions are attached to the frames. They can be made from spring blocks or from furniture polyurethane foam .
The eternal debate about which is better makes no sense. If the pillows are made of high-quality materials, then the service life of the springs and polyurethane foam are identical.
Therefore, choose the content that is comfortable for you, and not the one that the seller imposes.
Sit down on the sofa, lie on it before purchasing, feel what type of filling you feel most comfortable on. Well, look at your budget, a spring block will cost more.
Upholstery
The main recommendation is to choose sofa upholstery primarily based on its performance characteristics, and not on its beauty. Beauty and color are important, but secondary to the quality of the fabric.
What is the difference between tick-tock and eurobook mechanisms, which is better?
“Tick-tock” is an improved version of the “Eurobook”, distinguished by its transformation mechanism.
When unfolding the “Eurobook”, the seat rolls on its wheels on the floor each time, while in the “tick-tock” design a pantograph is installed that allows you to extend the seat without touching the floor.
Because of this feature, frequent use of the “Eurobook” as a bed can lead to rapid damage to the floor covering. Therefore, if you plan to disassemble transformable furniture every evening, it is worth buying “tick-tock”, which is completely safe for any floor covering. In addition, the wheels used in the “Eurobook” often fail, which is another disadvantage of this design.
Video: Tick-tock mechanism (pantograph) in the sofa, how it unfolds
The tick-tock sofa bed is a comfortable and reliable piece of furniture, perfect for a small apartment. If you spend money on purchasing such a piece of furniture, you will get a sofa that will fit perfectly into the design of your home and will last for many years.
What is important when buying a pantograph sofa
Pay special attention to:
- Sofa dimensions . Does it fit into your doorways, what space does it need to install in place. How much space does a sofa require when folded into a bed?
- What is the frame made of and how are its parts attached . If the frame is made of wood, MDF and laminated chipboard, there should be metal corner reinforcements in the corners of the frame. You can often find wooden blocks instead; they will strengthen the structure, but will last less than metal. If there are no amplifiers, the design will be flimsy.
- How the sofa mechanism is attached to the frame . The mechanism must be secured with bolts and not with self-tapping screws. Self-tapping screws can be used as an addition to bolts. The bolts must be threaded through the through holes in the frame and secured with nuts. If there are no bolts, the likelihood of this unit breaking increases.
- An important factor for the reliability of the mechanism is the presence of a cross beam , which connects the mechanisms of each side and prevents them from becoming loose.
- The sofa mechanism should work effortlessly , without friction and extraneous sounds.
- All parts of the mechanism must be tightly fastened to the frame and have no bends or backlashes. If such defects occur, then over time the situation will only get worse.
- When unfolded, the seat and back of the sofa should be strictly in the same plane and should not have any differences in thickness and also should not contain significant gaps at the junction. If there are such defects, sleeping on the sofa will be uncomfortable.
- Find out the strength characteristics of the upholstery. Fabric abrasion, its color fastness and ability to withstand point loads. How the fabric will behave when washed and cleaned.
- Find out the type and quality of fillings in your pillows. If the main filler is polyurethane foam, then its density should be at least 30 kg/m3. If the filler contains springs, then find out the type of spring blocks. Independent spring blocks with a small spring diameter are preferable.
- The frame and all parts of the sofa should not have cracks, chips, scratches or holes .
Customer Reviews
Most often, buyers of tick-tock sofas are satisfied with the purchased furniture. They note the following advantages:
- convenience and ease of unfolding and folding, thanks to which the furniture can be used by both children and adults;
- compact dimensions that allow you to comfortably place such furniture even in the smallest rooms;
- convenient double rear partition;
- when disassembled, the pantograph looks no worse than when assembled;
- beautiful appearance that allows you to fit harmoniously into any interior;
- convenient and spacious linen box;
- Spacious bed that can easily accommodate two adults.
Conrad
The Conrad mechanism is the most versatile and functional. It allows you to adjust the layout of the sofa. The technology is similar to the previous one, but with a few differences. Firstly, along with the additional section, the main one can also be extended - it is enlarged due to another retractable section under the backrest.
Photo: analyticstrainings.com
Secondly, the “Conrad” technology allows the sofa to be partially unfolded, rather than completely. The first method: you don’t have to pull out the main seat of the sofa, then the folding mechanism will be exactly the same as that of the “dolphin”. The second method: you need to pull out the upper additional section from the backrest, and push the lower one back under the seat. You can also expand all the sections and get a huge sleeping area.
