Patent ID: 7533434

Claim:
A ramp assembly, comprising: (a) a ramp portion configured for reciprocating movement between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position; and (b) a counterbalance assembly, comprising: (i) a restraint; and (ii) a spring, a first end of the spring operatively coupled to the ramp portion, a second end of the spring being engaged with the restraint when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position and being disengaged from the restraint when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position, movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position to the deployed position urging the first end of the spring toward the second end of the spring, wherein the spring biases the ramp portion (1) toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the neutral position and the deployed position, and (2) toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the neutral position and the stowed position.