Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:50:12 -0800
Reply-To: Annie <lsandrsn@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Annie <lsandrsn@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Problem installing a baby seat - resolution (for now anyway)
In-Reply-To: <4B78AF51.1060304@m-bass.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
You're welcome Markus! Glad that seemed to work for you. I know car seats
can be a pain sometimes! It was fun when we had 3 at the same time. ;-)
~Annie
On Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 6:20 PM, Markus Benne <mbenne@m-bass.com> wrote:
> 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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