In this section, we have put together everything you need to know about assembling element groups. Element groups are sofas that are made up of multiple elements – unlike single pieces, which constitute only one element. The elements are packaged and delivered individually and must then be put together.
Your upholstered furniture will generally be assembled by your supplier on site. If you ever assemble your upholstered furniture yourself, however – for example when moving house – please observe the following steps.
1. Use the installation manual as a guide
The main reference for the assembly of element groups is the individual installation manuals. These A4 sheets are affixed underneath each individual element before delivery. The installation manuals depict what accessory parts (legs, screws, etc.) and what assembly tools are enclosed with the element and needed for assembly. One installation manual and possibly an accessories set is provided for each element.
The installation manual also shows what type of element the element is and how it is completed and assembled, so that you can tell which installation manual matches which seat element. An installation manual could look as follows, for example, for an external seatelement:
In this case, screws, decorative legs (8), support legs (9), connecting legs (F and H) and an assembly tool are supplied with the element. The two circles on the left show how to mount the connecting legs to the element, the circle on the bottom right shows how to screw the support leg into the element and the circle on the top right shows how to screw the decorative leg onto the element.
The small illustration in the top left indicates that the element is an external right seat element (dark rectangle “K001 UNO Right”).
2. Mount all loose elements
Depending on the design of your new upholstered furniture, it may have loose elements, which you will need to mount first. These may be decorative legs and/or support legs, or armrests and back:
Decorative legs made of metal or wood are visible design elements. They are therefore fastened on all external ends or sides, and on the back corner of corner elements. Decorative legs are intended to be visible and are simply screwed in place at the corresponding points.
Black plastic support legs are screwed onto the element in pairs (on the front and back). They are used for a standard element that is mounted onto a functional element. Support legs with metal tab are mounted between two standard elements. They are delivered with the right-hand element, where they are screwed on.
Armrestsare not always directly pre-mounted to the seat element before delivery. It must be noted that armrests are mounted in order from right to left, like seat elements. The armrest on the far right is therefore mounted on the seat element on the far right first.
In some models, backsare not directly pre-mounted to the seat element before delivery. To mount the backs, you can simply interconnect them with the seat element, however. No additional tools or mounting materials are needed.
⇒ Important! Precautionary measures when assembling loose elements Protect your floor!
- Protect your floor! Place blankets or the packaging material underneath the seat element.
- Work with at least one other person.
- Make sure to observe the information in the “Before assembling” section.
How to mount loose elements
- Place the seat element in the position shown in the installation manual. This will generally be the back or the side.
- For each seat element, open the packaging with the corresponding accessories and keep them together for each upholstery element.
- Mount the loose elements as described in the detailed installation manual (see above).
- Then lift up the completed seat element and place it upright on the floor. Check that everything has been mounted correctly.
- Überprüfen Sie, ob alles korrekt montiert wurde. Check that everything has been mounted correctly.
⇒Please note: support legs can be readjusted at any later date by simply screwing them in or out.”
3. Connect the individual elements
Before you connect the individual elements of your upholstered furniture together, there is an important question that needs to be answered:
“Are you working with pins or a crocodile?”
Don’t panic! This is all relevant for assembling your upholstered furniture. Pinsand crocodilerefer to two different connection mechanisms. The type of mechanism determines how the upholstered furniture is assembled.
A crocodile connection refers to a ratchet mechanism with a part that resembles the jaws of a crocodile:
Connection with pin connectors is different. Put simply, pin connectors join two seat elements with a pin and hole mechanism: a metal pin on one element is inserted into a hole in the other:
3.1 Join the element groups with pin connectors
Your sofa is put together with pin connectors. This is done by simply inserted a fitting with a metal pin screwed into it into a matching counterpiece with a hole. The two pieces engage with an audible click. The pin connectors are pre-mounted before delivery, but you may need to screw the pins into the black metal fitting on the seat element (see seat element installation manual).
To join the element groups with pin connectors, proceed as follows:
- Position the first seat element (on the right as seen from the front) upright in its final location, leaving a space of roughly 40 cm between sofa and wall for your assistant.
- The attachment seat elements in your set are joined with connection pins with no additional screwing.
- Insert the connection pins into the black fitting of the adjacent seat element.
- Push the left seat element flush up against the right seat element, guiding the metal pin of one seat element into the hole of the other.
- Briefly sit on the seat of the left seat element to make the connection pins engage correctly. When they connect correctly, the two elements will produce an audible click.
- Check the back of the seat elements to ensure that the horizontal edges are flush. If they are not, dismantle the upholstery elements as described under “Dismantling” and start from scratch.
- Attach the next upholstery elements in the same way, from the left-hand side.
⇒ Please note: when two Relax elements are connected side by side, they are joined with an additional metal plate. This is mentioned in the assembly instructions.
⇒ If your upholstered furniture is equipped with electrical convenience functions, please also observe the information given under “Setting up the power supply”.
3.2 Join the element groups with crocodile connectors
Your sofa is put together with crocodile connectors. The longer piece that resembles the jaws of a crocodile is simply pushed into a smaller counterpiece. The two pieces engage with an audible click.
The two pieces engage with an audible click.
- Position the first seat element (on the right as seen from the front) upright in its final location, leaving a space of roughly 40 cm between sofa and wall for your assistant.
- The crocodile connectors are screwed in underneath the seat before delivery. Simply unscrew them from the seat.
- Push the seat element and another seat element together so that they interconnect. If the seat elements are connected correctly, the crocodile connectors engage with an audible click.
- Check the back of the seat elements to ensure that the horizontal edges are flush. If they are not, dismantle the upholstery elements as described under “Dismantling” and start from scratch.
- To do this, lay the element on its side and loosen the four screws to remove the crocodile connections.
⇒ If your upholstered furniture is equipped with electrical convenience functions, please also observe the information given under “Setting up the power supply”.”
3.2.1 Crocodile connections: how to rearrange the seat elements
By changing how the crocodile connection is mounted, you can rotate each element by 180° and connect it to other elements. To do this, lay the element on its side and loosen the four screws to remove the crocodile connections. Then position them in the desired place by attaching the screws:
⇒ Please note: changing the arrangement of the seat elements is ONLY possible for element groups with crocodile connectors! Never change the arrangement of element groups that are connected with pin connectors!”
4. Beating
Take a couple of minutes to straighten and beat the upholstered parts. Your sofa bed just went on a long trip. During storage and transport, some upholstered parts may have been pushed in and stitching lines may have been moved.
If you followed all steps correctly, your sofa will now be perfectly set up.
Please read all further instructions on your sofa’s comfort functions and cover maintenance.