Patent ID: 8739341

Claim:
A ramp assembly, comprising: (a) a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position; and (b) a counterbalance associated with the ramp portion, comprising: (i) a lug associated with the ramp portion, movement of the ramp portion toward the deployed position moving the lug along an arcuate path in a first direction, movement of the ramp portion toward the stowed position moving the lug along the arcuate path in a second direction; (ii) a link having a first end rotatably coupled to the lug; (iii) a guide fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion; (iv) a biasing element associated with the link, movement of the ramp portion away from the neutral position moving the biasing element toward the guide; and (v) a spring disposed between the guide and the biasing element, wherein (1) movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position toward the stowed position compresses the spring, and (2) movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position toward the deployed position compresses the spring.