Product family

Click-Clack Sofa Bed Mechanisms

A click-clack mechanism is the folding system that turns a sofa into a bed by sliding the seat forward and lowering the back; in Türkiye it is called a "japon" (Japanese) mechanism, and the trade also knows it as a sofa bed mechanism. Six types for sofa and sofa bed manufacturers: springless and spring-assisted in the midi body, with and without side arms in the large body, the reinforced Super, and the 3-position type whose backrest locks in three positions. This page sets out which sofa each one suits and what to include when you ask for a quote.

What each one does

Midi body: springless or spring-assisted

The two medium (midi) body types suit one and two-seat sofas and narrow frames; both fit directly into the frames used for large click-clack mechanisms and give the sofa zero-wall opening. What sets them apart is the spring: in the springless type opening and closing are done entirely by the user and there are fewer parts; in the spring-assisted type a spring in the body helps as it is raised, noticeably reducing the effort needed for heavy backrests and thickly padded sofas. If the backrest is light, the springless type is enough.

Large body: with or without side arms (reverse scissor)

The two wide-bodied types are used in three-seat and corner sofas with long seats; as the seat slides forward the backrest lowers and the sofa moves into its bed position. They suit both tubular and timber frames, and when the base opens the inside of the frame can be used for storage. In the version with side arms the arms take on part of the load directly, reducing the strain on the frame. In the armless version the sofa frame carries the load; the mechanism fits into a narrower volume and frees up space at the sides of the body. In the trade the armless type is also called a reverse-scissor mechanism.

Super: for intensive use

The reinforced type in the family: it works through multi-linked scissor arms with spring assistance, and the movement is steadier. It opens flush to the wall, so the sofa does not have to be pulled forward. It is designed for sofas with heavy backrests, sofas opened several times a day, and furniture going into shared spaces such as hotels and offices. In the trade it is also called a turbo or mega click-clack mechanism.

3-position: the backrest in three positions

A wide-bodied type without side arms; the backrest locks in the sitting, reclining and bed positions. The stepped catch on the body holds the backrest in each position, and it does not fall closed on its own in between. As the backrest is raised the steps engage one after another; after the last step the backrest is released and returns to its starting position. It is used in reclining sofas and narrow frames.

Six types side by side: which suits which sofa?

All of them slide the seat forward and lower the back to bring the sofa into its bed position. Four things decide the choice: frame width and seat depth (midi or large), backrest weight (springless or spring-assisted), the space left at the sides of the body (with or without side arms), and how often the sofa will be opened.

Feature Midi Springless Click-Clack Mechanism Midi Spring-Assisted Click-Clack Mechanism Large Click-Clack Mechanism Large Armless Click-Clack Mechanism Super Click-Clack Mechanism Large 3-Position Click-Clack Mechanism
Product Code ZM6-016 ZM6-017 ZM6-019 ZM6-018 ZM6-020 ZM6-021
Body midi (medium) midi (medium) large large super, reinforced large
Spring none yes yes yes yes yes
What sets it apart Fewer parts; no spring pushing back as it closes The spring helps it open; closing is controlled Side arms take on part of the load No side arm; the frame carries the load, fits a narrow frame Multi-linked scissor arms; opens flush to the wall Backrest locks in three positions; no side arm
Preferred for One and two-seat sofas; hotel and office furniture One and two-seat sofas; heavy backrests, thick padding Three-seat and corner sofas; sofa beds opened daily Sofas for three or more; narrow frames Heavy backrests; hotels, offices, shared spaces; three-seat and corner sets Reclining sofas; narrow frames
Other trade name — — — reverse scissor turbo, mega —
Material steel, electrostatic coating steel, electrostatic coating steel, electrostatic coating steel, electrostatic coating steel, electrostatic coating steel, electrostatic coating
  • The midi springless type gains you simplicity: no spring, fewer moving parts, nothing pushing back as it closes, so the sofa stays where it is left. The midi spring-assisted type gains you ease: the spring takes on part of the opening movement, so a heavy backrest needs less force.
  • The large type with side arms gains you load sharing: the arms take on part of the load and the strain on the frame is reduced. The armless (reverse-scissor) type gains you space: it takes no room at the sides of the body; in return the frame carries the load, so the frame must be sound and the mechanism fixed at every screw point.
  • The Super gains you steadiness: it is the choice when the backrest is heavy, the sofa is opened several times a day or the furniture goes into hotels and offices. In a standard home sofa the large body is usually enough.
  • The 3-position type gains you an intermediate position: the backrest also locks when reclined and does not fall closed on its own in between.

We do not publish figures such as load capacity, sheet thickness or cycle life without verifying them, which is why they are not in the table. Load capacity depends less on whether there is a side arm than on the body size and how many points the mechanism is fixed to the frame at; send us the inner width and seat depth of the sofa and we will decide together which body fits.

What to include in a quote request

  1. The product and its code — for example Large Click-Clack Mechanism (ZM6-019).
  2. The inner width and seat depth of the sofa; we decide together from this whether it needs midi or large.
  3. The approximate backrest weight and how often the sofa will be opened; whether you need a spring-assisted or Super type depends on this.
  4. How much room is left at the sides of the body for the mechanism, and whether the frame is tubular or timber; the choice between side arms or armless depends on this.
  5. Quantity: the mechanism is fitted in pairs, one on each side of the seat.
  6. If you are asking about a non-standard size or finish: a dimensioned drawing or a photo of the part you have.
  7. Delivery point: city, and country if outside Türkiye.

Send us sizes and quantities and we reply the same day.

Ordering from outside Turkey? Send a photo or drawing, the quantity and your destination country on WhatsApp or by email, and we will reply the same day. We already ship to Russia, Georgia, Iraq, Syria and the Balkans.