Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:20:01 -0500
Reply-To: Markus Benne <mbenne@M-BASS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Markus Benne <mbenne@M-BASS.COM>
Subject: Re: Problem installing a baby seat - resolution (for now anyway)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Thanks Annie!
Using the instructions you supplied on the use of the I-clip for seatbelt shortening
as inspiration, I was able to shorten the length of the female part of the seatbelt.
Unfortunately not as short as those instruction (I was missing about 3mm
of length in order complete maneuver 4; I might be able to stretch the
belt overnight) but in step 2, instead of feeding it through again, I
just looped it over the ends as is done in step 4.
That took over 2" out of the length and that is enough to tighten the
belt securely.
Upshot is nothing cut or relocated or fabricated, although I think all
of those done properly would have been ok too.
Thanks a lot!
...Markus (and Emma)
Annie wrote:
> Here are instructions on using the I clip as a belt shortener:
>
> *To use a belt-shortening clip*
> First, push the vehicle seat all the way back on it's track if possible.
> Apply weight to the child safety seat, buckle the belt and pull the
> webbing all the way out of the retractor
> Make a loop of ALL the excess belt, and either hold it tightly or mark
> the loop to know where the belt-shortening clip should go.
>
> 1. Unbuckle the belt and thread the loop up through the bottom of
> one side of the clip, then down over the other side.
> 2. Double-back the loop over the second set of "arms" on the clip.
> 3. Place the *inside* webbing of the loop back in the first side of
> the clip.
> 4. Pull the *inside* (underneath) webbing tight.
>
>
>
>
>
> Place the clip anywhere on the belt so that it lies flat, is not close
> to the child's face or body, and is convenient for the belt path and
> easy for the installer to install.
> Rebuckle the belt and test the child safety seat to be sure it's
> tight. If not, repeat steps 2-6.
> For the tightest fit, move the vehicle seat forward on it's track.
>
> ~Annie
>
> On Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 11:09 AM, Markus Benne <mbenne@m-bass.com
> <mailto:mbenne@m-bass.com>> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Sorry, the issue is kind of hard to describe.
>
> Yeah, the male part can be tightened no problem, but that does not
> change the location of the buckle and that is what interferes with a
> corner on the car seat. The buckle is in exactly the wrong spot. A
> shorter strap on the female side would help. Most modern cars
> have the
> buckle right near the base of the seat where the seat base meats the
> backrest. The bus has the buckle about 4" past the seat base/backrest
> location.
>
> Annie, I think the I-piece is to keep the shoulder strap in a fixed
> position to the lap belt, but in the rear of the car, there is only a
> lap belt so I don't think the part would help (happy to be wrong
> though).
>
> I'm thinking of having a bracket made that would relocate the female
> section down a couple inches where it fastens to the body of the bus.
> It would be cheaper than a new car seat.
>
> Thanks for hints so far.
>
> ...Markus
>
> Bob Stevens wrote:
>
> I may not be getting the full picture, or even getting the
> picture at
> all, but ....
> does the male-belt strap have any adjustment to it so you can just
> tighten or
> loosen to suit your needs?
>
> bob
>
> On Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 11:42 AM, Markus Benne
> <mbenne@m-bass.com <mailto:mbenne@m-bass.com>
> <mailto:mbenne@m-bass.com <mailto:mbenne@m-bass.com>>> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I'm having a problem installing the baby seat.
>
> The buckle is at a very awkward location relative to the baby
> seat. The
> problem (really my poor choice of seat, I guess) is that
> the Vanagon
> buckle is about 10" long and extends past the seat a long
> way. By
> buckle I mean the female part of the seat belt with the
> push button
> clasp. I guess I could look at a generic.
>
> Does anyone know where I can get a shorter buckle (6" or
> 8") that
> would
> work with the vw parts?
>
> Any other ideas?
>
> I'm using the gowesty tether which appears to be pretty good.
>
>
> Thanks,
> ...Markus
>
>
>
>
>
>
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