Merritt HOPE, Instructions For Use Manual

Page 1: ...Merritt Manufacturing Inc Instruction Manual to be Stored in Pocket on the Front of Car Bed Instructions for Use HOPE Car Bed...

Page 2: ...to Medical Personnel and Caregivers 2 Warnings 3 Weight and Height Restrictions 5 Vehicle Seat Belt Compatibility 6 Hope Car Bed Features 9 Car Bed Accessories 10 Restraint Bag Selection and Sizing 1...

Page 3: ...ystem may injure other occupants When using the 3 point harness make sure that the straps are snug A snug strap should not allow any slack It lies in a relatively straight line without sagging It does...

Page 4: ...install the car bed in the front seat of the vehicle or close to an active frontal air bag Never transport a child in this car bed without an attendant or parent s observation and supervision Never l...

Page 5: ...e used Never transport a child on his or her left side The cummerbund must always be used with the restraint bag and 3 point restraint system Parents and caregivers must be instructed by medical profe...

Page 6: ...used to attach car bed to vehicle seat Options are 2 lap shoulder belts or 1 lap shoulder belt and center lap belt or 2 lap belts NOTE Never use the seat belt position behind the driver Always use the...

Page 7: ...locking retractor ELR which means the lap belt will only lock in a sudden stop or crash Figure C Combination lap shoulder belt with two retractors The best way to identify this condition is to observ...

Page 8: ...plate This type of seat belt has a latch plate Figure A that slides freely up and down the webbing The latch plate does not lock Combination lap shoulder belt with a locking latch plate This type of s...

Page 9: ...l shell Outer shell for strength Inner wall to prevent injury Restraint Bag Inside lined with EPS Foam Firm Cushion Cummerbund Vehicle Seat Belt Attachment Handles to carry car bed outside vehicle Lev...

Page 10: ...part Replacements available See Page 49 Page 10 Installation Video Available Upon Request Page 49 Medical Tube Control Strap Provided with car bed as a standard part Replacements available See Page 49...

Page 11: ...Page 49 3 Point Harness 3 point harness provided with car bed as a standard part Replacement harness is available See Page 49 Shoulder Pads Two shoulder pads provided with car bed as a standard part...

Page 12: ...5 10 Pounds Large Size Over 10 35 Pounds See Important Caution regarding restraint bag selection on Page 13 Page 12 Small Restraint Bag with small cummerbund Weight Range 4 5 to 10 Pounds Figure A Se...

Page 13: ...strength of the small and large restraint bags are the same Restraint bag selection must be based on child s body and shoulder size The child s head size body type or pres ence of a cast can cause his...

Page 14: ...and 1 2 side EPS panels Figure A to expose the attachment slots Fig A 2 Cummerbund must be positioned with the identification label right side up When facing child care giver should be able to read cu...

Page 15: ...bund Fig E It is nec essary to compress bottom cushion to insert metal anchor on left side of cummerbund Insert anchor and lock in place Fig E and F 5 Figure G shows the cummer bund s metal anchors lo...

Page 16: ...op of open cummerbund Then close cum merbund for ease of installation of restraint bag Fig A C D E B A 2 Insert one of the two metal anchors on the right side of the restraint bag Fig B Lock the ancho...

Page 17: ...chors in place from the bottom of the car bed 5 Replace the 1 2 and 1 side EPS panel Figure G 6 Push each of the restraint bag shoulder straps through the bottom slots in the bottom cushion Fig I and...

Page 18: ...he bottom cushion under the flap Fig L Review the bottom of the car bed to verify the following 4 Metal Anchors for Restraint Bag locked in place 2 on each side 2 Metal Anchors for Cummer bund locked...

Page 19: ...age 19 IMPORTANT Verify that the shoulder straps are properly connected to the metal connector plate by pulling the strap as indicated in Figure M M Attaching Cummerbund and Restraint Bag Cont ASSEMBL...

Page 20: ...with 3 point harness 1 Remove the 1 and 1 2 side EPS panels Figure A to expose the attachment slots Fig A 2 Cummerbund must be positioned with the identification label right side up When facing child...

Page 21: ...anchor and lock in place Fig E and F 5 Figure G shows the cummer bund s metal anchors locked into place after completing Steps 1 4 6 Replace the 1 2 and 1 side EPS panel Figure H E F G Attaching Cumme...

Page 22: ...r in place from the bottom Fig J 3 Push both shoulder straps through the top slots in the bot tom cushion Fig K and then through mating slots second from top in plastic shell Fig L 4 Turn the car bed...

Page 23: ...on under the flap Fig N M N Assembly Verification Review the bottom of the car bed to verify the following 2 cummerbund anchors locked in place 1 each side Shoulder straps attached to the metal connec...

Page 24: ...only belt in order to ensure a safe installation of this car bed Review your owner s manual to determine if your seat belt is designed to lock child restraints in place For lap shoulder belts while t...

Page 25: ...g down with your hand feed the excess webbing into the retractor Fig B 3 Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until the car bed is stable as described in the section Checking the Stability of the Car bed on the botto...

Page 26: ...in some vehicles Read your vehicle manual 2 Slowly pull all of the webbing out of the retractor Figure A 3 Feed all of the excess webbing back into the retractor Figure B 4 While pressing down with y...

Page 27: ...ig D 6 Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until the car bed is stable as described in the section Checking the Sta bility of the Car bed on the bottom of Page 31 The shoul der belt must be locked in place not allow...

Page 28: ...hand to pinch the lap and shoul der belts firmly together approximately two inches from the latch plate Figure C photo taken from above the car bed through the belt slot 3 While continuing to pinch t...

Page 29: ...ng to pinch the belts together lift the seat belt out of the belt path and thread both portions of the vehicle seat belt into the locking clip as shown in Figures A B C D E and F Figure F is a view fr...

Page 30: ...H View from be hind the car bed 6 Determine if the car bed is secure as described in the section Checking the Stability of the Car bed on the bottom of Page 31 If necessary re peat Steps 1 5 until th...

Page 31: ...section Checking the Stability of the Car bed below If nec essary repeat Step 1 until the car bed is secure Verify that the car bed does not move more than one inch in any direction when you grasp it...

Page 32: ...position Fig C NOTE A parent or caregiver must be available for observa tion of the child during transit 4 Car bed leveling straps can be used to keep car bed level dur ing transit Figs D and E For in...

Page 33: ...ust be installed using two vehicle seat belts Select your vehicle seat belt routing options See Fig A B C A B C IMPORTANT Review Pages 24 31 to determine the appro priate method for lock ing your vehi...

Page 34: ...t be in stalled using two vehicle seat belts Each belt can be a lap only or a lap shoulder belt Steps 2 6 demonstrate a lap shoulder belt installation See Page 36 for Lap Belt Only 2 Grasp the lap sho...

Page 35: ...own through the belt slot nearest the head end of the car bed Figure D to its mat ing buckle Figure E 5 Attach the seat belt to the buckle Figure E 6 Review pages 24 31 to de termine the appropriate m...

Page 36: ...1 5 demonstrate a lap only belt installation 1 Grasp the lap belt located closest to the vehicle door and pull it down through the belt slot nearest the foot end of the car bed Figure A to its mating...

Page 37: ...t and pull it down through the belt slot nearest the head end of the car bed Figure C to its mating buckle Figure D D C 4 Attach the lap belt to the buckle Figure D 5 Review pages 24 31 to deter mine...

Page 38: ...hicle Owners Man ual 1 Move the front vehicle seats forward so that each seat frame is exposed Fig A 2 Wrap the looped end of the leveling strap around the bot tom of the seat frame Figure B 3 Insert...

Page 39: ...igure E 7 Figure F shows the car bed with the leveling straps in stalled E F NOTE If it is not possible to use the leveling straps then the optional Leveling Wedge may be used in stead 1 Simply center...

Page 40: ...Restraint Bag with small cummerbund Large Side Facing Restraint Bag with large cummerbund Right side position only Figure C Only with Medical Professional Ap proval Small Size 4 5 10 Pounds Large Siz...

Page 41: ...t the cummerbund and restraint bag have been installed according to Pages 14 19 1 Open both zippers to provide opening for child Fig D 2 Place child in restraint bag Make sure arms and neck are proper...

Page 42: ...the medical tube control strap can be used Fig K There are also two openings in the bottom of the restraint bag for monitor lead wires There is a slot in the middle of the restraint bag for G Tube ac...

Page 43: ...in place Fig B 3 Lengthen harness by lifting the lever See arrow Figure C located at lower end of bottom cushion under fabric flap Fig C and pull harness to desired length 4 Place shoulder straps ove...

Page 44: ...dy into an unnatural position 6 Tighten harness by pulling the adjuster strap located at lower end of bottom cushion under fabric flap Fig F 7 Be sure harness is positioned on child s shoulders and sn...

Page 45: ...arm through the lower arm slot so the child is not laying on their arm Fig C 4 Once child is securely positioned in the side facing restraint bag posi tion the cummerbund around child and attach Velcr...

Page 46: ...s webbing must not be submerged in water or cleaner Do not machine dry Do not iron Buckle and Chest Clip Rinse under warm water only Allow to drain and dry before reusing Never lubricate or use bleach...

Page 47: ...The locking clip is for use in older vehicles that do not have seat belts with switchable retractors or locking latch plates If you have a vehicle requiring a locking clip see page 29 for appropriate...

Page 48: ...lved in an accident that fail one or more of the NHTSA minor crash criteria below must be replaced Merritt Manufacturing will provide a new car bed at a 15 discount The car bed involved in the acciden...

Page 49: ...Bag 8008 3 Point Harness with Shoulder Pads and Buckle Pad 8034 Shoulder Pad 8032 Buckle Pad 8011 Leveling Strap 8012 15 Bottom Cushion 8020 21 5 EPS Covered Side Panel 8042 14 1 EPS Covered End Panel...

Page 50: ...egree of wear as a result of normal use This kind of normal wear is not covered under warranty To make a claim under this warranty you must contact Merritt via tele phone at 317 409 0148 or write to t...

Page 51: ...YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS DEPENDING ON THE STATE IN WHICH YOU RESIDE BINDING ARBITRATION Any dispute controversy or claim whether in contract tort or otherwise whether pre existing present or fu...

Page 52: ...HOPE Car Bed Merritt Manufacturing Inc P O Box 17152 Indianapolis IN 46217 0152 Phone 317 409 0148 Fax 317 893 2567 www eztether com E Mail info eztether com Made in USA PN 8026 Rev 5 4 26 11...