Patent ID: 7681272

Claim:
A counterbalance for a ramp assembly, the ramp assembly having a ramp portion operatively coupled for reciprocating motion between a stowed position and a deployed position, the counterbalance comprising: a) a chain assembly, comprising: (i) a chain portion operatively coupled to the ramp portion to move along a path in a first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the stowed position, and in a second direction when the ramp portion moves toward the deployed position; and (ii) a rod coupled to the chain portion; and (b) a spring assembly, comprising: (i) a spring; ii) a first spring fitting restraining a first end of the spring when the ramp portion is between a neutral position and the stowed position and moving the first end of the spring toward a second end of the spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the deployed position; and (iii) a second spring fitting spaced from the first spring fitting, the second spring fitting restraining the second end of the spring when the ramp portion is between the neutral position and the deployed position and moving the second end of the spring toward the first end of the spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position toward the stowed position.