Spring assisted apparatus for ramp actuating mechanism and movable draft arm arrangement

A ramp actuating apparatus for a rail vehicle having a ramp movable between deployed and stored positions and a draft arm and coupler arrangement movable between lowered and raised positions, said ramp actuating apparatus comprising:

• a. a first portion connected to said ramp and controllable to move said ramp between said deployed and stored positions;
• b. a second portion coupled to said first portion and to said draft arm and coupler arrangement, said second portion having a resiliently compressible member;
• c. said first portion causing said second portion to move said draft arm and coupler arrangement to said lowered position when said first portion moves said ramp to said deployed position, and said first portion causing said second portion to move said draft arm and coupler arrangement to said raised position when said first portion moves said ramp to said stored position,
• d. said second portion having a first end connectable to said rail vehicle and a second end connectable to said coupler and draft arm arrangement via a knee linkage;
• e. said knee linkage connected intermediate said coupler and draft arm arrangement and said first portion;
• and
• f. said resiliently compressible member positioned intermediate said first and second ends.