Assembling a bed with a lifting mechanism at home

Gas elevators are widely used in various spheres of life, including devices of this type that are actively used in the furniture industry. Unlike conventional springs, taking into account the power, such a device has a wide range of possible forces. In addition, the gas lift for the bed allows you to quickly and easily find things located in the box under the bed, since lifting it will not cause any difficulties. Designs equipped with such a device will be indispensable for people living in small apartments, since during the day such a sleeping place can be easily hidden in a closet.

What is

A gas lift for a bed is a device that makes it easier to lift the upper part of the structure without extra effort. The operating principle of this small device is similar to that of a car shock absorber. The main components of the product are:

1. Cylinder with gas (nitrogen is almost always used). It must be taken into account that there is high pressure inside the cylinder, so it is not worth repairing or disassembling it yourself.
2. Piston with rod - this part helps transmit the force generated during operation of the product.
3. Oil muffler (can also be made of rubber). A gasket whose main task is to stop vibrations that occur during the operation of a gas lift.
4. Retainers. Plates made of durable steel, with which the gas lift is fixed to the bed frame.

Many companies equip their furniture with gas lifts not only to make it convenient for the owner to store and search for various things. Beds supplemented with a similar device ensure an anatomically correct position of the spine during rest. They also do not have joints and seams, which often cause discomfort. Other advantages of the product include:

1. Simplicity of design.
2. Since the lift is assembled from just a few elements and operates using pressure, it is affordable.
3. Easy installation.
4. Reliable and durable - each product is designed to last approximately 20,000 lifts.
5. No noise during operation.
6. The device is completely safe for health.

Practical and cozy quilted bedspreads on beds of different sizes.
As for the weaknesses of beds equipped with a gas lift, there are only 2 of them. If you purchase a bed with springs in the upper block, you will need to put a lot of effort into lifting the element. The second disadvantage is that gas lifts that can withstand heavy loads are expensive.

Varieties

Each manufacturer complements its products with different types of lifting mechanisms, which differ in design, cost and operating period. Also, each device differs in power. Taking into account how a gas elevator works, elevators are divided into the following groups:

1. Manual mechanism. This type of gas lift is the simplest and most affordable. Despite the fact that a device of this type will function for a long time and properly, today they are rarely used to equip beds. This is due to the fact that great physical effort is required to lift the upper element. In addition, such products can cause damage to the bed frame.
2. Spring type lift. A simple system that is very easy to use. It doesn't take much force to lift the bed frame. The disadvantage of this design is that its service life does not exceed 5 years, since after this time the springs stretch, causing the device to stop functioning.
3. A mechanism based on a gas shock absorber. The design operates smoothly, does not emit extraneous noise, and is reliable. If you correctly calculate the load and use the device carefully, it will last more than ten years.

Of all types of devices, the most durable is considered to be a product that contains gas shock absorbers. Compared to other types, such a lift is more expensive. But the high cost is justified by comfort and safety.

Gas elevators themselves are automatic - their operation does not require physical effort or human attention. Or friction ones - the pressure in such cylinders is much less, which allows the structure to be stopped in any position.

Manual mechanism

Spring

Gas lift

How to choose the right one

When choosing a folding system, the variety of innovative models is confusing. You need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Single beds are suitable for kids, single beds for teenagers and single adults, and double beds for married couples. The surface can be rectangular, round, oval, semicircular.
2. It does not matter who will use the lift beds, adults or children, they must be reliable. The operation of the structure and the safety of family members depend on the control mechanism. To prevent the transformer from spontaneously falling, the device must be durable.
3. Furniture structures built into the wall should support the overall style of the room.
4. In order for the built-in bed-wardrobe, interior, and design to fully satisfy the owner’s requirements, it is better to contact a company with a proven reputation to manufacture the model. Specialists will carry out a design project for installing the entire system. They will make calculations, draw up drawings, and calculate the cost.
5. To maintain ergonomics, you need to choose the right location for the system. If the doors swing open on both sides, then there should be a distance of about 40 cm to the nearest bedside tables and chests of drawers.
6. In a small room it is difficult to find a decent place for the system, but it is still there. The beds fit well into a closet in the corner or opposite the window.
7. The cabinet parameters for the transported system must be selected based on the furniture set. Its standard width is 45-50 cm, and the length of the system corresponds to the length of the sleeping bed. This is an option for a folding bed. Accordingly, the parameters of the room must correspond to the dimensions of the system. When unfolded, the distance to the wall should be 35-40 cm to allow passage.
8. The cost of the system depends on the material, desires and capabilities of the owner. Focusing on the family budget, you can choose a base made of natural wood, chipboard, MDF, laminated chipboard, as well as decorative details that match the overall style of the room.

After deciding which system will decorate the room, it will be up to the specialists. The manufacturing technology of the built-in structure is thought through, and a drawing of the system installation plan is necessarily made. Choosing a sleeping place requires a serious approach.

Specifications

If the bed is equipped with a gas lift, the surface of the product can be easily raised and returned to its original position. Everything will go smoothly and without unnecessary noise. The main characteristics of such lifts are:

1. The main substance that ensures the functionality of the structure is inert gas (most often the cylinders are filled with nitrogen).
2. The chamber, rod and support tips are made of steel.
3. The minimum thickness of the walls of the cylinder, which is filled with gas, must be 1 mm, otherwise it will be unsafe to use the structure.
4. Any gas elevator can be compressed by applying force.
5. For the device to function properly, the room temperature must vary between -30/+70 degrees.

Types of bed bases - characteristics, pros and cons

It must be taken into account that the pressure in the cylinder is very high. That is why, if an element is deformed or another malfunction is discovered, it is strictly not recommended to disassemble it and try to repair it yourself. Below is a table showing the calculation of forces for vertical beds.

If you purchased a horizontal type bed, the power of the lift should be different. This is due to the fact that the load in this case is distributed differently. For horizontal beds, you can use less powerful gas elevators.

If a person does not know how much a bed weighs, one can be guided by average values. A single design weighs about 30 kg. The weight of an orthopedic mattress varies from 30 to 40 kg. Therefore, a single bed weighs on average about 60 kg.

Material of manufacture

When choosing a bed, you need to pay attention to the material. Unscrupulous manufacturers use low-quality materials, unsafe impregnation and coating. Although they look harmless, they have a bad effect on the body. Only wood is the most reliable, durable and environmentally friendly material. After processing, it does not change its structure, there will be no fungus, mold, or scratches on it.

Manufacturers make inexpensive built-in beds in a closet, which are in demand among buyers with average incomes. For frames, a material that imitates wood is used - laminated chipboard (LDSP). To make it, shavings are used, which are glued and pressed. First, chipboard (chipboard) is obtained, and after covering with a film that imitates the texture of different types of wood, laminated chipboard is obtained. It is necessary to take into account the unsafety of the material, since glue vapors have an effect on the body. Chipboard structures covered with veneer have the color of wood, but it also contains glue.

Hinged cabinet doors for a built-in system can be made of MDF, and the sleeping area can be made of wood. The frame is reinforced with steel corners. Alloy steel, brass and other materials are used for fastening mechanisms.

Criterias of choice

Specialized stores offer a wide range of gas elevators. In order not to be disappointed in the purchase, you first need to figure out what recommendations to take into account when choosing. Experts advise following these rules:

1. The first thing to do is to calculate approximately what the product’s load capacity should be. To do this, you need to know the dimensions of the bed, as well as its weight.
2. Taking into account the obtained parameters, select the necessary device.
3. How easily and quickly the frame will rise depends on the number of shock absorbers installed. It is advisable that the bed be equipped with two mechanisms on the sides.
4. The length of the gas shock absorber is of no small importance. This parameter directly determines the height to which the body will rise.
5. Preference should be given to fittings manufactured by German or German-Russian enterprises. The elements produced by such companies are of high quality and have proven themselves better than others.

If you install too powerful a pneumatic mechanism on the bed, this can lead to certain difficulties. In this case, raising or lowering the bed can be quite difficult.

The device is selected taking into account the required load capacity

For easier lifting, the bed should be equipped with two shock absorbers on the sides

The length of the gas lift determines how high the bed base will rise.

German gas elevators are considered to be of the highest quality.

Features of the models

Built-in beds are often installed in apartments with a small square footage, in dachas and country houses. When folded, the model turns into an additional headset section. The design of the wardrobe with a built-in bed allows you to hide bed linen behind the door. Such furniture can be installed anywhere. Usage options:

1. Living room. If you place a bed in the living room, it will have two purposes at once - a place for sleeping at night and an area where you can relax during the day.
2. Children's room. A child cannot do without free space. A bed hidden in a niche will provide him with a sports, play, and work area. When there are two or three children in a family, you will need multi-tiered models with a horizontal mechanism.
3. Bedroom. Built-in bedroom furniture will allow the owner to have a work area or living room.

To secure the mattress and bed linen, the kit includes straps that hold these items vertically.

Main advantages of beds:

1. If a single bed with a mattress is installed, 2 square meters of additional space appears.
2. In a few seconds, the bedroom will become an office, a relaxation room, a play or sports area.
3. If the model has shelves, this saves not only free space, but also money. A single design costs less than ordering individual furniture elements that require design selection.

In addition to the advantages, furniture products of this type also have disadvantages:

1. Some owners are not psychologically prepared to have a 2-in-1 bed and wardrobe. They are afraid of the possible operation of the device at night, and involuntary opening during the day, which will lead to its fall. A bed built into a niche with a horizontal transformation option will help overcome psychological discomfort.
2. Daily folding and unfolding.
3. In accordance with safety rules and technical operating conditions, the structure must be mounted only on load-bearing walls.

The wall unit is well complemented by a model with open and closed sections.

Installation Tips

In most cases, the installation of a gas lift on a bed is carried out at the production stage, at the enterprise itself. But if you wish, you can do the installation yourself. To carry out the work you will need a basic set of tools: a hammer, a saw, a drill with different drills, metal corners, several self-tapping screws. And, of course, you need to purchase a suitable gas lift in advance. For everything to work properly, it is recommended to install the product according to the following algorithm:

1. The first step is to assemble the bed frame. In this case, metal corners are used, which will securely fix all the elements and make the structure strong.
2. Next, you need to install the gas lift using special screws and bolts.
3. Afterwards, the folding frame is assembled and the gas lift is fixed to it. The product must be previously installed in the open position.
4. Finally, it remains to check how well the installed lifting mechanism works. To do this, you need to squeeze and unclench it several times. The design should operate smoothly and silently.

A brief overview of the types of accessories for beds, tips for choosing

Self-installation of a gas lift will not cause difficulties and will not take much time. However, if there is uncertainty that everything will be done correctly, it is better not to take risks and seek help from a professional who will do the work. As an alternative, you can immediately choose a bed that already has a powerful gas lift installed. In this case, preference should be given to well-known and trusted companies.

Drawing up a drawing and sketch

The second stage of preparation for making a bed with a lifting mechanism with your own hands is drawing up a drawing or sketch. It is necessary to work out in detail all the nuances and order of work. The drawing details the dimensions, shapes, constituent fragments, fasteners, components and much more.

One of the options for a simple sketch of a bed with a lifting mechanism. The bed is a box of 4 rectangular fragments and 4 transverse ones that form the bottom. The correct sketch must include the parameters of the mattress, since the dimensions of the structure will be developed on their basis. Standard sizes: length from 1.8 meters and width from 0.8 to 1.8 meters. If additional built-in elements are planned - shelves, drawers - they must also be described in detail on the drawing and the methods of their fastening.

If the bed has shelves and drawers, they also need to be described in detail in the sketch. You also need to create three drawings: the first sketches the general appearance of the future structure, the second contains detailed information about materials and dimensions, and the third describes the procedure for carrying out all the work. Thus, in the end you will get a ready-made plan for the manufacture of the structure.

If you have no experience in drawing up such a drawing, you should resort to the help of the Internet. Here you can find a variety of sketch options that can be changed and supplemented at your discretion.