What is an "I clip"?  Sorry to be so ignorant, but that is my usual state regarding all things mechanical.  David Mc

---- Markus Benne <mbenne@M-BASS.COM> wrote:
> Thanks Annie!
>
> Using the instructions you supplied on the use of the I-clip for seatbelt shortening
> as inspiration, I was able to shorten the length of the female part of the seatbelt.
>
> Unfortunately not as short as those instruction (I was missing about 3mm
> of length in order complete maneuver 4; I might be able to stretch the
> belt overnight) but in step 2, instead of feeding it through again, I
> just looped it over the ends as is done in step 4.
>
> That took over 2" out of the length and that is enough to tighten the
> belt securely.
>
> Upshot is nothing cut or relocated or fabricated, although I think all
> of those done properly would have been ok too.
>
> Thanks a lot!
>
> ...Markus (and Emma)
>
> Annie wrote:
> > Here are instructions on using the I clip as a belt shortener:
> >
> > *To use a belt-shortening clip*
> > First, push the vehicle seat all the way back on it's track if possible.
> > Apply weight to the child safety seat, buckle the belt and pull the
> > webbing all the way out of the retractor
> > Make a loop of ALL the excess belt, and either hold it tightly or mark
> > the loop to know where the belt-shortening clip should go.
> >
> >    1. Unbuckle the belt and thread the loop up through the bottom of
> >       one side of the clip, then down over the other side.
> >    2. Double-back the loop over the second set of "arms" on the clip.
> >    3. Place the *inside* webbing of the loop back in the first side of
> >       the clip.
> >    4. Pull the *inside* (underneath) webbing tight.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Place the clip anywhere on the belt so that it lies flat, is not close
> > to the child's face or body, and is convenient for the belt path and
> > easy for the installer to install.
> > Rebuckle the belt and test the child safety seat to be sure it's
> > tight. If not, repeat steps 2-6.
> > For the tightest fit, move the vehicle seat forward on it's track.
> >
> > ~Annie
> >
> > On Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 11:09 AM, Markus Benne <mbenne@m-bass.com
> > <mailto:mbenne@m-bass.com>> wrote:
> >
> >     Hi,
> >
> >     Sorry, the issue is kind of hard to describe.
> >
> >     Yeah, the male part can be tightened no problem, but that does not
> >     change the location of the buckle and that is what interferes with a
> >     corner on the car seat.  The buckle is in exactly the wrong spot.  A
> >     shorter strap on the female side would help.  Most modern cars
> >     have the
> >     buckle right near the base of the seat where the seat base meats the
> >     backrest.  The bus has the buckle about 4" past the seat base/backrest
> >     location.
> >
> >     Annie, I think the I-piece is to keep the shoulder strap in a fixed
> >     position to the lap belt, but in the rear of the car, there is only a
> >     lap belt so I don't think the part would help (happy to be wrong
> >     though).
> >
> >     I'm thinking of having a bracket made that would relocate the female
> >     section down a couple inches where it fastens to the body of the bus.
> >     It would be cheaper than a new car seat.
> >
> >     Thanks for hints so far.
> >
> >     ...Markus
> >
> >     Bob Stevens wrote:
> >
> >         I may not be getting the full picture, or even getting the
> >         picture at
> >         all, but ....
> >         does the male-belt strap have any adjustment to it so you can just
> >         tighten or
> >         loosen to suit your needs?
> >
> >         bob
> >
> >         On Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 11:42 AM, Markus Benne
> >         <mbenne@m-bass.com <mailto:mbenne@m-bass.com>
> >         <mailto:mbenne@m-bass.com <mailto:mbenne@m-bass.com>>> wrote:
> >
> >            Hi,
> >
> >            I'm having a problem installing the baby seat.
> >
> >            The buckle is at a very awkward location relative to the baby
> >            seat.  The
> >            problem (really my poor choice of seat, I guess) is that
> >         the Vanagon
> >            buckle is about 10" long and extends past the seat a long
> >         way.  By
> >            buckle I mean the female part of the seat belt with the
> >         push button
> >            clasp.  I guess I could look at a generic.
> >
> >            Does anyone know where I can get a shorter buckle (6" or
> >         8") that
> >            would
> >            work with the vw parts?
> >
> >            Any other ideas?
> >
> >            I'm using the gowesty tether which appears to be pretty good.
> >
> >
> >            Thanks,
> >            ...Markus
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >