# US 8,739,341 B1 · Counterbalance for a fold out ramp

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- Number: US 8,739,341 B1
- Document ID: US8739341B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 14/102,153
- Filed: 2013-12-10
- Granted: 2014-06-03
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14
- Assignees: Lift-U, Division of Hogan Mfg., Inc.
- Applicants: Donald Morris
- Inventors: Donald Morris
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739341B1

## CPC

- B60P 1/433: {the loading floor or a part thereof being movable to form the ramp}
- B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00)

## Abstract

A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. The ramp assembly includes a counterbalance comprising a lug associated with the ramp portion so that movement of the ramp portion toward the deployed position moves the lug along an arcuate path in a first direction, and movement of the ramp portion toward the stowed position moves the lug along the arcuate path in a second direction. A link is coupled to the lug, and a guide is fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion. A biasing element is associated with the link such that movement of the ramp portion away from the neutral position moves the biasing element toward the guide.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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 link having a first end rotatably coupled to the lug;
(iii) a guide fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion;
(iv) a biasing element associated with the link, movement of the ramp portion away from the neutral position moving the biasing element toward the guide; and
(v) a spring disposed between the guide 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ramp assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring provides a force to bias the ramp portion (1) toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position, and the neutral position, and (2) toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ramp assembly of claim 1, further comprising a rod slidably engaging the guide, a first end of the rod being rotatably coupled to a second end of the link.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The ramp assembly of claim 3, wherein the biasing element is coupled to a second end of the rod.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The ramp assembly of claim 4, further comprising a spring stop slidingly disposed on the rod, the spring stop being positioned between the spring and the guide.

### Claim 6

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 link having a first end rotatably coupled to the lug;
(iii) a guide fixedly located relative to the stowed position of the ramp portion;
(iv) a biasing element associated with the link, wherein (1) movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position toward the stowed position moves the biasing element toward the guide, and (2) movement of the ramp portion from the neutral position toward the deployed position moves the biasing element toward the guide; and
(v) a spring disposed between the restraint and the biasing element, a spring disposed between the restraint and the biasing element.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The ramp assembly of claim 6, wherein movement of the biasing element toward the guide compresses the spring.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The ramp assembly of claim 6, further comprising a rod slidably engaging the guide, a first end of the rod being rotatably associated with a second end of the link.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The ramp assembly of claim 8, further comprising a coupler, a first end of the coupler being rotatably coupled to the first end of the rod, a second end of the coupler being coupled to the second end of the link.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The ramp assembly of claim 8, further comprising a bearing element rotatably associated with the rod, the bearing element being disposed within a slot formed in the guide.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The ramp assembly of claim 8, further comprising a spring stop slidingly disposed on the rod, the spring stop being positioned between the spring and the guide.