Patent ID: 8578536

Claim:
A ramp assembly, comprising: (a) a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position; (b) a hub associated with the ramp portion, movement of the ramp portion toward the deployed position rotating the hub in a first direction, movement of the ramp portion toward the stowed position rotating the hub in a second direction opposite the first direction; and (c) a counterbalance associated with the ramp portion, comprising: (i) a flexible line coupled to the hub, a first end of the flexible line moving in an arcuate path when the ramp reciprocates between the stowed and deployed positions; (ii) a restraint fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion; (iii) a biasing element associated with the flexible line, movement of the ramp portion away from the neutral position moving the biasing element toward the restraint; and (iv) a spring disposed between the restraint and the biasing element, wherein the spring provides a force to bias 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.