Variable hinge and method of adjusting the same

A method of adjusting the torsional stop on a hinge comprising a first hinge member comprising a barrel, a second hinge member comprising a first end barrel opposite a second end barrel, wherein the barrel is coaxially aligned between the two end barrels, wherein the first hinge member can rotate relative to the second hinge member about an axis along said barrel and first and second end barrels, and a spring having a first end opposite a second end, wherein the spring second end is rotationally retained relative to the second end barrel and the spring first end is rotational retained relative to the barrel, the method comprising:

• axially compressing the spring first end in a direction toward the spring second end of the spring, wherein after compressing the spring first end, said spring first end is not rotationally retained relative to the barrel;
• adjusting the twist on the spring while the spring first end is compressed by rotating said spring first end relative to the spring second end;
• and
• axially decompressing said first end of the spring, wherein after decompressing, said spring first end is rotationally retained relative to said barrel.

A hinge comprising:

• a first hinge member comprising a barrel;
• a second hinge member comprising a first end barrel opposite a second end barrel, wherein the barrel is coaxially aligned between the two end barrels, wherein the first hinge member can rotate relative to the second hinge member about an axis along said barrel and first and second end barrels;
• a spring having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a spring tensioner coupled to the first end of the spring, wherein the first end of the spring is rotationally retained relative to the springe tensioner, said spring tensioner comprising a depression for receiving a driver, said spring tensioner being axially slideable along the axis when being pushed by said driver;
• and
• a retainer coupled to the spring tensioner and comprising an opening that is penetrated by the driver when said driver is being received in the depression, wherein the spring second end is rotationally retained relative to the second end barrel, wherein the spring urges the spring tensioner against the retainer, and wherein when engaged with the spring tensioner, the retainer prevents the spring tensioner from rotating relative to the retainer and relative to the barrel, and wherein when being pushed by said driver, said spring tensioner slides along the axis for axially disengaging from said retainer.