Maybe stupid ???--When, *exactly* must you use a LOCKING CLIP?

heyruthie

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #1

i'm going to disply my idiocy here, most likely. is it whenever the seat doesn't have built-in lockoffs? or do you not have to use them when there are locking belts in the vehicle? thank you!

 

unityco

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Apr 17, 2009

• #2

You know what they say... there's not such thing as a stupid question!

A locking clip MUST be used when there is NO OTHER WAY of locking the vehicle's seatbelts (so no locking retractors or latch plates.) It's NOT a requirement of seats that don't have built-in lock-offs (so you don't necessarily need one on say, a Scenera.)

ETA: Basically, a locking clip shouldn't be NECESSARY on a car built after 1996 because from that point forward, belts were required to have some kind of locking mechanism (retractor or latch plate.) There are reasons one might CHOOSE a locking clip even when the seatbelt locks because it provides a better install. A RF carseat in a vehicle with locking retractors might tip for example, a locking clip eases that problem. My Caravan's lightweight locking latchplates don't hold very well, so I use a locking clip on them.

HTH!

 

christineka

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #3

You must use the locking clip if the shoulder-lap belt does not lock.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #4

christineka said:

You must use the locking clip if the shoulder-lap belt does not lock.

Click to expand...

Or if it only locks in an emergency.

Sometimes they're also used if a lightweight locking latchplate slips (though flipping the belt fixes that), or if a rear facing seat is being tipped by the shoulder belt.

Wendy

 

Jeanum

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus

Staff member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #5

There's a great primer on seatbelt types and when and how to use a locking clip at http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

 

heyruthie

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #6

ok--this makes me feel better, because i haven't been using them in our '02 odyssey, which has locking retractors. i always seem to get good, solid installs, but i thought maybe i was doing something wrong

 

Pixels

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #7

A locking clip is required for a lap-shoulder belt with sliding latchplates and Emergency Locking Retractors. In this situation, there is no way to secure the lap portion of the belt so that it will hold the carseat tight, other than the locking clip.

It must never be used with a lap-only belt. If the belt locks at the latchplate, or at the retractor, using a locking clip properly will likely do no harm, but no benefit, either. And it is just one more opportunity for error, so the rule is don't use it if you don't need it.

 

heyruthie

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #8

ok. that is good news. i feel much better now.

 

BeckC

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #9

If you are using the locking clip on a seatbelt that locks at the retractor, the belt must be in the ELR mode (meaning not locked).

 

KiwiGem

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #10

wendytthomas said:

Or if it only locks in an emergency.

Sometimes they're also used if a lightweight locking latchplate slips (though flipping the belt fixes that), or if a rear facing seat is being tipped by the shoulder belt.

Wendy

Click to expand...

I have a 1998 Chrylser with the lightweight locking latchplate & have a seat which does not have internal lock offs. Would some please explain to me a bit further about flipping the latch plate to lock the belt off? Even better, a photo if possible?

Thank you!

 

BeckC

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #11

I don't have a photo for you, but I think I can help explain.

A locking latchplate locks when the belt is laying flat. There's a little bar in the latchplate that engages and locks the belt. In a lightweight locking latchplate, sometimes the belt will slip through a little bit depending on the angle that the latchplate is when it's buckled. Flipping the latchplate 180 degrees will allow the belt to lay flat so that it doesn't slip through.

Hope that helps.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #12

Just take the male end of the buckle and flip it 180 after you've buckled and tightened. That'll put a twist in the belt and keep it from moving.

Wendy

 

KiwiGem

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #13

Wow! Thank you for the quick replies. There isn't anyone here in NZ who would understand enough to check that I've done this correctly so it's good to have a source of the correct information.

Will run down & have a play with the seatbelt now.

 

BeckC

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #14

If you'd like to post a picture we'd be happy to check it as best we can.

 

KiwiGem

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #15

Ok, so after reading what you said above & trying that out in the car, I'm still not sure I've understood... do you mean simply twisting the latch plate so it's inverted & then buckling it back up?

This photo shows how the seatbelt buckles normally on the Truefit with the internal lock off on the seat...

& here is what I have imagined you mean by flipping the latch plate on the Maxi II restraint but I don't think it's right :scratcheshead:

I do have a locking clip here on I can throw on but I'm just trying to save myself the stress & sweat & of having to do it!

 

Pixels

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #16

That does look correct in the second picture.

Why do you think it might not be right?

 

KiwiGem

New member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #17

pixels99 said:

That does look correct in the second picture.

Why do you think it might not be right?

Click to expand...

Oh good - phew! I was second guessing myself & didn't want look silly if it was wrong, so covering all bases

 

brooklynsmommy

Active member

• Apr 17, 2009

• #18

Another thing to compare locking latch plates to is buckles. Like the ones on your swing, stroller and such. When the buckle is perpendicular to the belt(making a T) the belt loosens freely. If you lay the buckle flat against it, it locks it and makes it so the belt doesn't loosen. You can still tighten it though.