Post by mazeroth on Aug 1, 2013 20:34:24 GMT 12
Hi, I am re-building a 1955 VW based fiberglass bodied Beach Buggy (Circa 1970 or so). As it has been de-registered I have to go through the compliance process etc.
I have some questions regarding the placement/fixing of seat belts anchors and construction of a roll bar.
To place the retractable seat belts I need to bolt them to the 'B' pillar according to document 185-00(01). As this is vehicle without a roof and pillars this is sort of impossible, however, a roll bar placed behind the seats would be able to be used to mount the upper and lower seat belt components. I have looked through most of the LVVTA on-line documents and have found no information on the design and construction of roll bars for open top vehicle which are road registered. The nearest one I have found is an Australian document "The National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification" Section LK Seating and Occupant Protection Version 2.0 January 2011. This gives examples of roll cage construction (page 44) in particular the 4 point roll cage for convertibles. A second document I have found is the "Motorsports NZ Manual 35" Schedule A. This outlines principle structures for roll bars and cages for the NZ MotorSport industry. Page 49 shows some of the configurations.
The minimum acceptable material for construction is 44.5 x 2.5mm tube according to both documents or 50 x 2.0mm tube in the Motorsport NZ Manual.
Is it acceptable to use 2" Black grade 250 Light duty pipe (nominal thickness 2.3 to 3.5mm) and constructed with a main roll bar, two back stays and one diagonal?
In regard to seat belt anchors, document 175-00(01)(Seat belt Anchorages) does not indicate how to to attach retractable belts to a circular pipe, is there documentation available which shows mounting arrangements etc?
The Australian document shows how to reinforce a hollow section (such as a pipe) using a welded tube. Is this acceptable for the upper and lower seat belt anchor bolts?
Thanking you in advance for your reply.
I have some questions regarding the placement/fixing of seat belts anchors and construction of a roll bar.
To place the retractable seat belts I need to bolt them to the 'B' pillar according to document 185-00(01). As this is vehicle without a roof and pillars this is sort of impossible, however, a roll bar placed behind the seats would be able to be used to mount the upper and lower seat belt components. I have looked through most of the LVVTA on-line documents and have found no information on the design and construction of roll bars for open top vehicle which are road registered. The nearest one I have found is an Australian document "The National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification" Section LK Seating and Occupant Protection Version 2.0 January 2011. This gives examples of roll cage construction (page 44) in particular the 4 point roll cage for convertibles. A second document I have found is the "Motorsports NZ Manual 35" Schedule A. This outlines principle structures for roll bars and cages for the NZ MotorSport industry. Page 49 shows some of the configurations.
The minimum acceptable material for construction is 44.5 x 2.5mm tube according to both documents or 50 x 2.0mm tube in the Motorsport NZ Manual.
Is it acceptable to use 2" Black grade 250 Light duty pipe (nominal thickness 2.3 to 3.5mm) and constructed with a main roll bar, two back stays and one diagonal?
In regard to seat belt anchors, document 175-00(01)(Seat belt Anchorages) does not indicate how to to attach retractable belts to a circular pipe, is there documentation available which shows mounting arrangements etc?
The Australian document shows how to reinforce a hollow section (such as a pipe) using a welded tube. Is this acceptable for the upper and lower seat belt anchor bolts?
Thanking you in advance for your reply.
