Patent ID: 8327485

Claim:
A counterbalance for a ramp assembly, the ramp assembly having a ramp portion coupled for reciprocating movement between a stowed position, a neutral position, and a deployed position, the counterbalance comprising: (a) a transmission element forming an endless loop, the transmission element being operably coupled to the ramp portion to move in a first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the stowed position, and in a second direction opposite the first direction when the ramp portion moves toward a deployed position; (b) first and second springs; (c) a first biasing element coupled to the transmission element, the first biasing element compressing the first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the stowed position, the first biasing element compressing the second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the deployed position; and (d) a second biasing element coupled to the transmission element, the second biasing element compressing the second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the stowed position, the second biasing element compressing the first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the deployed position.