Chapter 5: Seat Belt Systems Without Pre-Crash Locking Features

5-2 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Chapter Objectives

•Identify seat belt systems without a pre-crash locking feature

•Identify four approved additional pre-crash locking steps

•Identify how to secure a CR when the seat belt system requires an approved additional step for pre-crash locking

5-3 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Latchplates Without Pre-Crash Locking Features: Sliding Latchplate

Found only on lap-shoulder systems

5-4 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Sewn-On Latchplate

Found on lap-only and lap/shoulder systems

Lap and ShoulderLap Only

5-5 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)

•Looks like a switchable retractor but does not have the ability to switch

•Locks in a sudden stop, turn, or crash•Is comfortable and safe for adults•When webbing is pulled all the way out, it still moves in and out freely

•Cannot be used to install CR without an approved additional step or locking latchplate

5-6 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Activity 1: Identifying Latchplates and Retractors

Latchplate LockingSwitchableSlidingSewn-on

Retractor ALRSwitchableELRNone

Vehicle #

_______

Seating position

_______

5-7 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

When Neither Latchplate Nor Retractor Stays Pre-crash Locked

•Use one of the four approved additional steps to installation a CR:▪Locking clip/lockoff ▪Belt shortening clip▪Flip latchplate ▪Twist buckle stalk

5-8 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

The Locking Clip

•Pre-crash device works until retractor activates in a crash

•Creates a fixed length of webbing in the lap belt

•Only used on a lap-shoulder belt with a retractor

•Found on all CRs when purchased

5-9 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

CR Lock-Off

5-10 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

When to Use a Locking Clip

ALL three conditions must be present:•Lap-shoulder belt is all one piece of webbing

•ELR is in place•Sliding latchplate does not lock pre-crash

5-11 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Lap-Shoulder Belt Only -How to Use a Locking Clip

•Route belt through correct belt path and buckle

•Apply weight to CR while pulling shoulder webbing to remove lap belt slack

•Pinch and hold both pieces of webbing together and unbuckle

•Attach clip within 1 inch of latchplate and re-buckle

•Test for tightness

5-12 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

ELR and Sewn-On Latchplate

•Lap belt only or lap portion only of lap-shoulder with sewn-on latchplate

•The belt-shortening clip “takes the retractor out of the picture” and serves as the locking part

•Pre-crash locking is not possible without the belt-shortening clip

•The belt-shortening clip clamps off all excess webbing to create a fixed length of webbing in the lap portion of the seat belt

5-13 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

The Belt-Shortening Clip

•Must be purchased where vehicles are sold or made

•Firmly ties off and locks fully extended seat belt webbing to provide a fixed lap belt length

•Takes the place of the retractor•Placed near the retractor (on the door side)•Should be tested for tightness •Can increase injury risk if used incorrectly•Used as a last resort

5-14 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Activity 2: How to Use a Belt-Shortening Clip

VideoCourtesy National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

5-15 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Locking Clip or Belt-Shortening Clip Locking Clip/Lock-off Belt-Shortening Clip

Found on every CR Purchased from auto dealer only

Used with lap-shoulder belt with ELR and sliding latchplate

Used on lap portion of seat belt with ELR and sewn-on latchplate

Used only on seat belt with retractor as backup

Used in place of retractor—no retractor backup available

Never used to replace belt-shortening clip or to shorten a seat belt

Can be used in place of regular locking clip

5-16 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Activity 3:

•What would you do to provide a pre-crash locked seat belt?

5-17 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Problem Solving: Locking Latchplate Slips•Webbing loosens when firmly pulled up•CR moves more than 1 inch

▪Flip the latchplate to change angle - OR▪Twist the buckle stalk to shorten buckle webbing - OR

▪Use a locking clip if it is a lap and shoulder belt as a last resort

•Check for tightness

5-18 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

When Do You Flip the Latchplate?

•Locking latchplate doesn't stay locked when it should:

•Solution: Unbuckle and flip

TiltFlat

5-19 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

When Do You Twist the Buckle Stalk?•Helpful when the buckle

does not lie flat, is in the belt path, or does not allow the lockoff to be secured

•Twisting the buckle will make the webbing shorter

•This will make the buckle lower

•3 twists maximum

5-20 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Locking Clips and Belt-Shortening Clips Instructor Demonstration

•Demonstrate:▪Locking clip/lock-off▪Belt-shortening clip▪Flipping a seat belt latchplate▪Twisting a seat belt buckle

•Install a CR using:▪Locking clip/lock-off▪Belt-shortening clip▪Flipped seat belt latchplate ▪Twisted seat belt buckle

5-21 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Review: The Four Accepted and Approved Additional Steps •Lap/shoulder belt has ELR + free sliding latchplate: Use a locking clip

•Lap-only belt has ELR and sewn-on latchplate: Use another seating position to secure CR or use a belt-shortening clip

•Locking latchplate slips: Option 1) flip latchplate, Option 2) twist buckle stalk, or Option 3) use a locking clip

•Buckle on a long stalk: Twist buckle stalk (if permitted by vehicle manufacturer) to shorten

5-22 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Test Yourself! Fill in the Blanks

•ELR•ALR•Switchable retractor•Locking latchplate•Sliding latchplate•Sewn-on latchplate•Switchable latchplate•Locking clip•Lock-off•Belt-shortening clip•Flipping the latchplate

1. Name two latchplates that do not lock pre-crash: ________and ________.

2. Which retractor has no pre-crash locking feature? __________

3. What tool would you use with an ELR lap belt and sewn-on latchplate? _________

4. What retractor is always pre-crash locked? ______

5. What retractor changes from one position to another? _____________

5-23 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

5-24 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

5-25 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Congratulations!

•You can now identify any vehicle retractor-latchplate combination as long as you take your time and follow the steps you have learned:

•There are four ways to lock a belt system:1.At the latch plate2.At the retractor3.Locking clip4.Belt shortening clip

•You have the tools to be able to pre-crash lock virtually any seat belt.

5-26 National CPS Certification Training - April 2007 (R1010)

Chapter Review

• How can I secure a CR when the seat belt system requires an approved additional step for pre-crash locking?

• When do I flip the latch plate?

• What does ELR stand for?

• What are the four ways to pre-crash lock a seat belt system?