Automotive seat system and method of stowing same

Abstract

An automotive seat system includes a first seat having a back portion and a bottom portion, and a second seat movably attached with the first seat. The second seat moveable between an extended and folded position. One of the back portion and bottom portion of the first seat configured to receive and stow the second seat if in the folded position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An automotive seat system comprising:
 a first seat having a back portion and a bottom portion; and   a second seat movably attached with the first seat, the second seat moveable between an extended and folded position, one of the back portion and bottom portion of the first seat configured to receive and stow the second seat if in the folded position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the bottom portion includes a fixed frame member and a moveable frame member, the fixed frame member and moveable frame member defining a cavity in which to stow the second seat if in the folded position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the moveable frame member is pivotally attached with the fixed frame member. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second seat includes a bottom portion and wherein the bottom portion of the second seat is hingedly attached with the bottom portion of the first seat. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second seat includes a back portion and a bottom portion and wherein the back portion of the second seat is pivotally attached with the bottom portion of the second seat. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second seat includes a back portion having first and second support members, the second support member moveable between a collapsed position and an extended position relative to the first support member. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second seat includes a back portion and a head rest, the head rest moveable between a collapsed position and an extended position relative to the back portion of the second seat. 
     
     
         8 . An automotive seat system comprising:
 a first seat having a back portion and a bottom portion including a fixed frame member and moveable frame member, the fixed frame member and moveable frame member defining a cavity within the bottom portion; and   a second seat moveably attached with the first seat, the bottom portion of the first seat configured to receive and stow the second seat within the cavity.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the second seat is hingedly attached with the bottom portion of the first seat. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the second seat includes a back portion and a bottom portion and wherein the back portion of the second seat is pivotally attached with the bottom portion of the second seat. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the second seat is moveable between an extended and folded position. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the second seat includes a back portion having first and second support members, the second support member moveable between a collapsed position and an extended position relative to the first support member. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the second seat includes a back portion and a head rest, the head rest moveable between a collapsed position and an extended position relative to the back portion of the second seat. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the moveable frame member is pivotally attached with the fixed frame member. 
     
     
         15 . A method of stowing an automotive vehicle seat comprising:
 pivoting a bottom portion of a first seat from a first position to a second position to expose a cavity within the bottom portion of the first seat;   moving a second seat hingedly attached with the first seat into the cavity; and   pivoting the bottom portion of the first seat from the second position to the first position to stow the second seat within the cavity.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising folding a back portion of the second seat towards a bottom portion of the second seat. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising moving a head rest of the second seat between an extended position and a collapsed position. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising moving a back portion of the second seat between an extended and collapsed position.