Patent ID: 8621696

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 flexible line coupled to the lug; (iii) a restraint fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion; (iv) 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 (v) a spring disposed between the restraint 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.