Safety Harnesses - Legal or Not?

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
21

quote:Originally posted by MarkD:IDG - That is not a roll cage.True, sorry Mark. The point I was really getting at was that safety devices should be used in conjunction with each other. A crutch strap without good head protection could be worse than no crutch strap.I know what you mean about not feeling safe when you go back to a lesser form of protection. A 3-point belt in a normal car now feels most careless.I guess in the end safety is a personal thing and is only really helping to minimise an obvious risk. But isn’t speed fun!Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

22

Just so that you know …You can buy the 5 point ( single strap ) or 6 point ( 2 strap ) section for the existing harness BUT you cannot fit the 6 point in the existing Exige seat … the hole is only just big enough for the 5 point. Also the 5 point comes with lots of extra belt thats difficult to “lose”.I know becuase i’ve tried it ! - I ended up using the 5 point ( single strap) and making a bar to bolt under the seat ( the threads are there to fix it ) - the extra belt is wrapped up and stuffed back through the hole - but then you cant adjust it easy …If anyone needs more info then get in touch !

23

MinimanJust bought the strap from safty devices, the single one that is, cost about �6 + P&P.In the destructions it says that the mounting point should be within a 20 degree angle for or aft of the hole in the seat, it says serious injury could result if this is not adeard to (mmm better than ending up wraped around the pedals I’m sure!!!) Where are these threaded holes in seat as I’ve not yet taken it out to check, What bar did you go for after considering the strength needed???

24

DaveI’ve been trying to get around to taking photos - but I’ve been too busy - JohnC asked the same question.So here goes, photos to follow if you need 'em …If you take the seat out you will see two M8 bolts that are in a direct line with the cutout in the seat - those bolts hold the frame together - one either side.I made a bar that would span those two bolts - about 20mm wide and 6mm thick - I think that that is rather large when you consider the thickness of the fixing itself … rounded off the corners and then wrapped the belt around it - discarding the fixing that came with it ( you need to make sure you do this the same as its wrapped around the metal fixing - so the belt cannot come loose ( similar to how the shoulder belts are wrapped around the harness bar)).You can then bolt the bar in place and the belt will be within an almost 0 angle which is what you want.Only problem is the belts so long theres a lot to loose back down the hole !! and adjusting it is not easy - but you should only have to do that once.The ctutch strap is only really there to hold the lap belts in the right place so you MUST make sure the lap belt is just over your hip and really, really tight when you use the crutch strap - I accept no liability [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

25

Thanks Miniman,Seats are coming out next week for retriming so I’ll have a play then [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

26

MinimanDisagree that you can’t use the 6 point strap - you can, cos I’ve done it.I do agree however that it is a bastard to fit compared to the 5 point.I sat the buckle on top of the seat and then pushed the straps through the slot in the seat - leaving the adjusters on top of the seat.Like you, I used a bar across the two threaded bolts - used a tubular bar flattened at each end to stop any sharp edges from fraying the straps.Easy to adjust with the adjusters sat on top of the seat, but uncomfortable if you don’t use the 6 point as you end up sitting on the adjusters - once on it’s fine

27

MarkYou probably can [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]but I didnt see the benefit when the straps have to come back to one anyhow ( maybe its 'cos I’m 100Kg and only just fit anyway …)I have one spare 6 point if anyone wants it !!

28

I’m interested, Miniman. How much do you want for it?

29

Well, I’ve just spent nearly five hours trying to find a satisfactory way of fitting my six point kit…and I’m still not entirely happy.I asked the chaps at Nick Whale’s to fit it for me, and they used the official Lotus method. This involves attaching the end of the straps where the rear of the seat runners bolt to the floor of the car. The problem with this is that the straps are attached to the runners, not the actual seat. If you slide the seat forwards, the straps effectively get shorter. This wouldn’t be too bad if I wasn’t slightly short in the legs. With the seat in my normal position, the straps (adjusted to maximum length) are very short, and don’t leave much room for my package [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]I made a bar to fit under the seat in the same way some of you guys have, but there doesn’t seem to be a way of attaching the straps to the bar other than having the adjusters above the seat. This leaves the straps too long to actually be of any use.Can anybody help me, please?Also, can anybody confirm which way round it’s supposed to fit? The dealer fitted it so that the metal bit which pushes into the buckle curves around you, but I think it should curve away from you. In other words, I think the FIA label should be on the outside so it can be seen.

30

Mmm not sure about the 6 point setup, I just opted for the 5 point and had no trouble at all!!!The strap was about �6 from safty devices, piece of 20mm square steel tube from Homebase for �2.40,a can of black spray paint, a bit of cutting and a couple of nuts and bolts and it fits like a dream. The adjuster snuggles down in the gap in the foam of the seat, easy to adjust and peftectly comfortable. You have to cut the bolt on eye off the end of the strap so it fits round the square tube oh and on brothers car we had to take the buckle apart to turn the 5th point peg round to allow the tongey thing to plug in.Takes about 30 mins to make and 20 to fit.I now feel alot more secure as you can get the harness on bl**dy tight (can’t reach the radio though which is a bit of a pain when your on the track!!!) [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/image]Only problem now is that you dont really need a 5 point when your sat watching telly in the lounge (Car still in the bodyshop having a makeover minus it’s seats!!) [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]If anybody wants more info, shout and I do a drawing and give you the part number for the strap. Hope this helps someone.[This message has been edited by Dave Kelly (edited 24 February 2003).]

31

I’d like to know how the 5 point compares to the 6 point. With the 6 point version, you can’t adjust the straps to be any shorter than about 2 foot.

32

Hi guys, I had the safty device 5 point harness fitted to my Exige from new along with the sports seats, and roll bar.If I could find a way of sending photographs to this B.B. I would be happy to take the seat out and photograph the mounting points for you if it would help.

33

Thanks, Logic, I’d be very interested to see any pictures that might give me some clues.

34

Well don’t know how they did it, but the guys at Nick Whale’s have managed to sort out my harnesses. Thanks are due to Richard and Ian. Top guys [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]