Patent ID: 7533432

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, comprising: (i) a force transmission element operatively coupled to the ramp portion for reciprocating movement between a first direction when the ramp portion moves toward the stowed position and a second direction when the ramp portion moves toward the deployed position; and (ii) a spring assembly, comprising: a. a spring; and b. a first spring fitting associated with the force transmission element, the first spring fitting restraining a first end of the spring in a fixed location relative to the neutral position of the ramp portion when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to 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.