System and method for adjustably positioning a restraint system in a motor vehicle

A restraint system for use in a passenger seating area of a motor vehicle, the restraint system comprising:

• a seat belt assembly disposed adjacent the passenger seating area including a webbing positionable across the body of an occupant extending between a lower anchor mounted adjacent a lower side portion of the seat and a belt retractor disposed adjacent an upper side portion of the seat;
• a latch element disposed on the webbing;
• a first sensor sensing a change in the condition of the belt retractor;
• an inboard anchor mounted adjacent the passenger seating area opposite the seat belt assembly having a buckle element configured to engage and secure the latch element;
• an adjustment mechanism operatively connected to the inboard anchor having a power source and a carrier for moving the inboard anchor between a stowed position and at least one deployed position;
• a second sensor sensing if the buckle element receives the latch element;
• and
• a controller configured to monitor the first and second sensors,
• wherein the controller instructs the adjustment mechanism to move the inboard anchor between the stowed position and the at least one deployed position if the first sensor detects movement of the belt retractor and moves the inboard anchor from the at least one deployed position to the stowed position if the buckle element receives the latch element.

A method of moving an inboard anchor of a restraint system associated with a seat of a motor vehicle from a stowed position to a deployed position, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a seat belt assembly disposed adjacent the passenger seating area including a webbing positionable across the body of an occupant, a latch element, a belt retractor disposed adjacent an upper side portion of the seat and a first sensor disposed adjacent the belt retractor;
• detecting a change in the condition of the belt retractor with the first sensor;
• transmitting a signal from the first sensor to a controller indicating a change in the seat belt assembly condition;
• providing an adjustment mechanism having a power source and a carrier configured to move an inboard anchor having a buckle element;
• and
• transmitting a signal from the controller to the adjustment mechanism to move the inboard anchor from a first or stowed position to a second or deployed position such that the latch element may be secured to the buckle element.