Harnesses - buckle type
 

OK, next question (I'm being prolific recently)

I'm not too sure whether this should go here or in the IVa/SVA/legal bit, but it's here now:D

Is there any rule on what sort of buckle may be fitted to a harness?
I have had a trawl of the IVA manual, and can't seem to find any info on buckles, apart from;

Section 31 - seat belts

6. The lock mechanism must securely lock the belt
7. The lock mechanism must be able to be released easily, both in normal use and when the belt is under load.

The reason I ask, is that I seem to remember a few people on Locostbuilders were failing IVA because they had the wrong sorts of buckles (rotary as opposed to aircraft)

As I intend on 5 or 6 point harnesses, I think they all come with rotary. Am I going to need some 4 pointers just for IVA?

Cheers

Sean

The way I understood was that they had to be undone with one hand. So a buckle type yeah?

6. The lock mechanism must securely lock the belt
7. The lock mechanism must be able to be released easily, both in normal use and when the belt is under load.
This is also taken from the MOT manual,in regard to 7 this relates to pulling the webbing and undoing the seat belt when it is locked as the method of inspection. I would think this is why they have failed aircraft type belts/harness

I believe seat belts/harnesses are supposed to carry an e number label on the webbing somewhere. I seem to remember this was in the SVA manual but I can't find it in the IVA manual ( only had a very quick read as I was actually looking for something else)!
HTH. BV

I think that could now be open to interpretation

From the manual:

3. Each seat belt must bear the appropriate approval marks or have the equivalent characteristics to that of a belt approved for the same category of vehicle to ensure the belt meets the required approval standards. (see note 5)

Note 5: Characteristics include;

The webbing is of an equivalent type of material and where it is likely to come into contact with the body of the wearer is at least 46mm (33mm in the case of harness belt shoulder straps) in width.

All components are suitably protected against corrosion, e.g. plated or coated.

The locking mechanism, i.e. the buckle, when both under load and not under load, can be released by a single movement in one direction by either hand.
Other than a harness belt the locking mechanism contact area with the body of the wearer is not less than 46mm in width.

For a static seat belt there is a manual adjusting device
•accessible to the wearer when seated
•convenient and easy to use
•capable of being tightened with one hand.

For a retracting belt, the retractor locks when the vehicle is subject to deceleration, tilt or the belt is pulled quickly from the retracting mechanism

So, it appears that any buckle, that can be released under load would be acceptable.
As for markings, E marked, TUV marked, should do the trick. FIA should also be OK. As these would have the same 'characteristics'

Sean

So reading that description, I'm guessing that these harnesses would be acceptable?

http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product...roducts_id=291

Cheers

Dave

Give rally designs a ring, they are helpfull bunch of blokes.
Any I think yes they would be ok