HANS Sliding Tethers

[Jgardhouse]

I was ordering a new (yet another...) HANS this morning, and apparently there is no choice but to have sliding tethers.

Apparently, they are safe to use with any of the FIA anchors (I didn't want sliding because then I would have to change the factory installed anchors on my Peltor (I don't plan on doing any FIA only events, but you never know!))

Can anyone confirm/deny this? 3 months ago H/D was all "You need new anchors that can handle the load", now they're saying its fine?

[Do It Sidewayz]

Why not change the anchors?

Drilling into the helmet for posts is 1 thing...this is boarder line modified, and where the trouble lies.

But unscrewing the anchors, and replacing the 1 piece (the inside washer)...i think that's a different story

[Jgardhouse]

Official wording from peltor is FIA CERTIFIED.

List of FIA Certified helmets http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/87488537EEBCC8D4C125746A00540772/$FILE/L33_Approved_helmet.pdf

So if you have a Peltor, factory installed buttons and sliding tethers, it looks like you have a bit of an issue to sort out.

[Do It Sidewayz]

I still don't get you.

The "new" hans posts are "FIA CERTIFIED"....

They look the same from the outside. you change them out, they will still say FIA, they look the same, if someone REALLY wants to peal back the padding from your helmet, and see if you have the new larger washer.

I seriously doubt anyone even at the FIA level is going to give it a second look.

[Jgardhouse]

Non non non, FIA certified helmets. Big difference.

New QD tethers are being released next week (apparently), so if I'm voiding the factory installed thing, I'll do it for those.

[Do It Sidewayz]

show me documentation...the PDF you sent has nothing but pictures...

[Jgardhouse]

To clarify.

I was told I could use my Peltor helmet with factory installed posts, as is, with the sliding tethers. After calling HANS this appears to not be the case.

The use of factory installed anchors is permissible if and only if it is a FIA certified helmet, eg one of those $$$ lids in that pdf.

If you have a SNELL, SFI or BSI helmet, you must change the buttons to the sliding tether specific kind, regardless of the fact they were factory installed. This has some implications if you want to run FIA events overseas.

There are new quick releases being released next week, as well as some new anchor/tether arrangements, which is cool...

[Do It Sidewayz]

Does not make alot of logical sense to me (however the FIA really never does).

What makes you actually believe that the "tech" of helmets overseas is any different then that we recieve here?

"helmet?"
*you show the dude, he looks for a sticker, puts check mark on sheet*
"ok! suits, first aid kit, etc"

While if you nit pick into the rules, it may not be "kosher" you are clearly not "less safe or putting yourself at risk. You did not drill holes to mount the HANS like everyone and their brother does here. All you did was replace the "backing washer"....as i remember it is ONLY the piece on the inside that is different (it is bigger to displace the different loading moments better on the helmet).

I'm 90% sure that the intent of the FIA is they don't want average joe taking a Dewalt cordless to their helmet. They want the HANS posts to be "FACTORY INSTALLED". I do not believe the intent is to limit you from changing the backing washers to a different approved HANS washer.

What if the little spring thing in the HANS post happens to break. You could surely order just the spring from HANS...it's like a 20 second replacement job. Does the FIA want you to seriously send the helmet back to peltor and have them replace the spring? I doubt it.

Meanwhile...you run in Ontario/Canada, you know our scruitineers and you know the process.

Sliding tethers are the shit! I've driven with both and i wouldn't use a "conventional" HANS again unless i absolutely needed too. It makes putting it on much easier, and wearing it much more enjoyable.

[Jgardhouse]

Chris, I agree with you 110%.

I think I'll still hate the HANS, even with sliders, a size that fits me very well, new harness bars, and hans specific belts :mad:

[Ferdinand]

You do need the bigger washers for the HANS posts if you have sliding tethers.

With fixed tethers there is a much tighter limit on how far you can turn your head. So in a severe impact, where the HANS comes into play, the tether forces are more likely to be pulling straight back on both posts, subjecting the posts primarily to shear loading only.

With sliding tethers you could potentially have your head turned further sideways at the moment of impact. The tether loads imposed on the helmet posts would then be less evenly distributed between the two posts. On one side the tether would be trying to pull out on the post in tension, as opposed to pulling straight back flush with the surface in shear only.

The smaller washer is fine for holding the posts in when subjected to shear loads only, when the load is applied parallel and flush to the helmet surface. But if the load is applied in an outward direction, trying to pull the post sideways out of the helmet, then the smaller washer might potentially pull through.

[Jgardhouse]

You do need the bigger washers for the HANS posts if you have sliding tethers.

With fixed tethers there is a much tighter limit on how far you can turn your head. So in a severe impact, where the HANS comes into play, the tether forces are more likely to be pulling straight back on both posts, subjecting the posts primarily to shear loading only.

With sliding tethers you could potentially have your head turned further sideways at the moment of impact. The tether loads imposed on the helmet posts would then be less evenly distributed between the two posts. On one side the tether would be trying to pull out on the post in tension, as opposed to pulling straight back flush with the surface in shear only.

The smaller washer is fine for holding the posts in when subjected to shear loads only, when the load is applied parallel and flush to the helmet surface. But if the load is applied in an outward direction, trying to pull the post sideways out of the helmet, then the smaller washer might potentially pull through.

Correct, correct and correct...

And you have a PM.