Patent ID: 8166594

Claim:
A ramp assembly, comprising: (a) a ramp portion, the ramp portion being configured for reciprocating movement between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position, the ramp portion having a weight that produces a ramp moment, the ramp moment biasing the ramp portion (1) toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and (2) toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position; and (b) a counterbalance associated with the ramp portion, comprising: (i) a cam configured to rotate when the ramp portion moves between the stowed position and the deployed position; (ii) a guide coupled to the ramp assembly; (iii) a cam follower slidingly coupled to the guide and engaging a surface of the cam, wherein rotation of the cam translates the cam follower along a path; and (iv) a resistance member coupled to the cam follower, the resistance member providing a force to the cam follower to counteract the ramp moment, wherein the counterbalance biases the ramp portion (1) toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and (2) toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position.