Hinge apparatus

A hinge comprising:

• a first hinge member having an elongate bore;
• a second hinge member rotatably coupled to the first hinge member, the second hinge member including first and second spaced arms that are rotatably coupled to the elongate bore with inward surfaces rotatably contacting opposite ends of the bore;
• a torsion spring housed within the elongate bore having a first end secured relative to the first hinge member and a second end adjustably securable relative to the second hinge member;
• a spring securing member secured to the first end of the spring and secured to the first hinge member for securing the first end of the spring relative to the first hinge member;
• and
• a hand operated adjustment mechanism capable of disengaging the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and into engagement relative to the first hinge member to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring and then re-engage the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member, thereby changing engagement position of the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and adjusting torsional spring tension, the hand operated adjustment mechanism comprising a push button that is secured to the second end of the torsion spring, the push button having push button locking surfaces for engaging second hinge member locking surfaces for securing the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member, whereby depression of the push button axially compresses the spring and disengages the push button locking surfaces from the second hinge member locking surfaces and into engagement with first hinge member locking surfaces to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring, and release of the push button re-engages the push button locking surfaces with the second hinge member locking surfaces.

A hinge system comprising:

• a fixed support member;
• a swinging member;
• at least one hinge comprising:
• a first hinge member;
• a second hinge member rotatably coupled to the first hinge member, the first and second hinge members each including mounting flanges, one mounting flange secured to the fixed support member and the other mounting flange secured to the swinging member;
• a torsion spring having a first end secured relative to the first hinge member and a second end adjustably securable relative to the second hinge member;
• and
• an adjustment mechanism capable of disengaging the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and into engagement relative to the first hinge member to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring and then re-engage the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member, thereby changing engagement position of the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and adjusting torsional spring tension.

A method of forming a hinge comprising:

• providing a first hinge member;
• rotatably coupling a second hinge member to the first hinge member;
• securing a first end of a torsion spring relative to the first hinge member and adjustably securing a second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member;
• and
• providing an adjustment mechanism capable of disengaging the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and into engagement relative to the first hinge member to allow rotation of the second hinge member relative to the second end of the spring and then re-engage the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member, thereby changing engagement position of the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and adjusting torsional spring tension.

A method of adjusting a hinge, the hinge comprising a first hinge member, a second hinge member rotatably coupled to the first hinge member, and a torsion spring having a first end secured relative to the first hinge member and a second end adjustably securable relative to the second hinge member, the method comprising:

• with an adjustment mechanism, disengaging the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and into engagement relative to the first hinge member;
• rotating the second hinge member relative to the first hinge member and the second end of the spring;
• and
• re-engaging the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member, thereby changing engagement position of the second end of the spring relative to the second hinge member and adjusting torsional spring tension.