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

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

2. 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

3. Latchplates Without Pre-Crash Locking Features: Sliding Latchplate Found only on lap-shoulder systems

4. Sewn-On Latchplate Found on lap-only and lap/shoulder systems Lap Only Lap and Shoulder

5. 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

6. Activity 1: Identifying Latchplates and Retractors Vehicle # _______ Seating position _______

7. 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

8. 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

9. CR Lock-Off

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Activity 2: How to Use a Belt-Shortening Clip Video Courtesy National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

15. Locking Clip or Belt-Shortening Clip

16. Activity 3: • What would you do to provide a pre-crash locked seat belt?

17. 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

18. When Do You Flip the Latchplate? • Locking latchplate doesn't stay locked when it should: • Solution: Unbuckle and flip Tilt Flat

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. ELR ALR Switchable retractor Locking latchplate Sliding latchplate Sewn-on latchplate Switchable latchplate Locking clip Lock-off Belt-shortening clip Flipping the latchplate Name two latchplates that do not lock pre-crash: ________and ________. Which retractor has no pre-crash locking feature? __________ What tool would you use with an ELR lap belt and sewn-on latchplate? _________ What retractor is always pre-crash locked? ______ What retractor changes from one position to another? _____________ Test Yourself! Fill in the Blanks

23. What’s Wrong With This Picture?

24. What’s Wrong With This Picture?

25. 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: • At the latch plate • At the retractor • Locking clip • Belt shortening clip • You have the tools to be able to pre-crash lock virtually any seat belt.

26. 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?