Vehicle seatbelt usage sensing apparatus and method for generating and transmitting a seatbelt warning signal

A seatbelt usage sensing apparatus for use with a vehicle, said seatbelt usage sensing apparatus comprising:

• a) a seat assembly comprising:
• i) a seat cushion portion having an unoccupied configuration and adapted to be occupied by a seat occupant in an occupied configuration;
• and
• ii) a seatbelt assembly having a seatbelt webbing and a seatbelt fastening member, said seatbelt assembly being selectively moveable between a fastened configuration and an unfastened configuration;
• in said fastened configuration, said seatbelt fastening member securely engaging said seatbelt webbing;
• and in said unfastened configuration, said seatbelt fastening member being removed from said secure engagement with said seatbelt webbing;
• b) an occupant sensing means for determining when said seat cushion portion is in said occupied configuration;
• c) a seatbelt sensing means for determining when said seatbelt assembly is in said fastened configuration;
• and
• d) a warning signal generator adapted to generate and transmit a seatbelt warning signal when said seat cushion portion is in said unoccupied configuration, and further adapted to generate and transmit said seatbelt warning signal when said seat cushion portion is in said occupied configuration and said seatbelt assembly is in said fastened configuration, with said seatbelt warning signal being transmitted substantially exterior relative to an interior seating compartment of the vehicle.

A method for generating and transmitting a seatbelt warning signal from a seat assembly and a corresponding seatbelt assembly of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) determining when the seat assembly is in an occupied configuration whereat a seat occupant occupies a seat cushion portion of the seat assembly in an interior compartment of the vehicle;
• b) determining when the seatbelt assembly is in an unfastened configuration whereat a seatbelt fastening member of the seatbelt assembly is removed from secure engagement with a seatbelt webbing of the seatbelt assembly;
• c) generating said seatbelt warning signal when the seat assembly is in said occupied configuration and said seatbelt assembly is in said unfastened configuration;
• d) transmitting said seatbelt warning signal substantially exterior relative to said interior seating compartment;
• and
• e) receiving and substantially permanently recording said seatbelt warning signal via a seatbelt usage recording device that is substantially exterior relative to said interior seating compartment.