Patent Publication Number: US-9416572-B2

Title: Adjustable swing-controlled hinge

Description:
PRIORITY INFORMATION 
     This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), from U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/088,816, filed on Dec. 8, 2014. The entire content of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/088,816, filed on Dec. 8, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     This application further claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), from U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/088,826, filed on Dec. 8, 2014 The entire content of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 62/088,826, filed on Dec. 8, 2014, is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A conventional hinge, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is comprised of a first leaf  30 , second leaf  20 , and a pintle  60 . With respect to the first leaf  30  and second leaf  20 , the first leaf  30  has circular knuckles  40 , and second leaf  20  has circular knuckles  50 , as part of its construction. The circular knuckles ( 40  and  50 ) are aligned alternately to form a circular cylindrical metal tube into which a pintle  60  is extended to enable the leaves to swing freely. 
     It is noted that if the first leaf  30  is attached a door, the circular knuckles  50  are stationary with respect to the pintle  60 , and the circular knuckles  40  rotate around the pintle  60  as the first leaf  30  moves. 
     It is further noted that if the second leaf  20  is attached a door, the circular knuckles  40  are stationary with respect to the pintle  60 , and the circular knuckles  50  rotate around the pintle  60  as the second leaf  20  moves. 
     An example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,005. U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,005 discloses an adjustable doorstop mounts on a hinge pin that is inserted into mating hinge leafs. The doorstop has two members that are manually positioned with respect to each other and lock to set how far the door to which they are mounted can open. The doorstop members each have a means that contact only a hinge leaf of a door hinge to prevent a door from opening beyond its manually predetermined point. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,005 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Another example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,370. U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,370 discloses an adjustable hinge with a first leaf and an adjustable leaf mounting assembly which includes a second leaf, a bracket, a cam, and an adjusting screw. The second leaf is mounted on the bracket and has one end extending beyond the bracket and pivotally engaged with the first leaf. The cam is rotatably mounted on the bracket and cooperates with a cam follower surface on the second leaf. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,370 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     A further example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,289. U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,289 discloses a first and second pair of door stop elements mounted to an existing door hinge and aligned with the barrels on the door hinge. The barrels have to be cutaway to mount the stops. The hinge pin holds everything in position. One of the pair of door stops is shaped like a metal bar with a pair of knuckles at the top and the bottom. It also has curves, indentations, flat contact points, and grooves. The back of the first stop is recessed to provide clearance to avoid the hinge barrels against which the stop is positioned after installation. The flat contact points abut against the faces of the pair of door hinges to prevent the door from opening beyond a fixed point. The first stop is used alone when the door opens up to 180 degrees. The second stop works with the first stop element and is used to limit the door opening to much less than 180 degrees. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,289 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     A fourth example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,967. U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,967 discloses a door hinge which stops the swing-open motion of a door before it can strike an adjacent wall located at ninety degrees to the closed door. By stopping the motion of the door at ninety degrees, the protruding hardware of the door will not penetrate or otherwise damage the adjacent wall. Frequent repairs are therefore avoided. The door hinge is adaptable to various residential and commercial applications. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,967 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     A fifth example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,644. U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,644 discloses a door hinge having a particularly reliable and solid stop and holding device. The movable part of the hinge lies along the hinge pin between the fixed part and a housing which contains the holding mechanism and is integral with the fixed part. In the housing, a pivotable lever is rotationally fastened to the movable part and supports a roller against which one or more notches are pushed by a spring-loaded device. The notches define the open positions of the door. The housing is sealed and fits onto the fixed part and the hinge pin. The hinge can be used particularly in motor vehicle doors. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,644 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Another example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,596. U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,596 discloses a universal hinge with the capability of performing stop and hold mechanisms without installing extra stop and/or catch components on an object abutted to the universal hinge. The universal hinge comprises a hinge body, a stop mechanism, and a hold mechanism. Both the stop mechanism and the hold mechanism of the universal hinge are provided by specially shaped hinge knuckles while no extra component is needed. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,596 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Another example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,922. U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,922 discloses a detachable door lock having a door contact member which is secured to a door frame contact member. A spacer is provided between the door contact member and the door frame contact member so as to position the two members in contact with the door and the door frame, respectively. The door contact member and the door frame contact member, as well as the spacer, are releasably secured to the door hinge to maintain the door contact member in contact with the door and the door frame contact member in contact with the door frame. The door lock limits the amount of rotation of the door about the hinge and thus prevents entry through the doorway when the door is closed and the lock is attached to the hinge. The door lock may be adjusted so as to conform to various door and door frame configurations as well as to permit limited opening of the door. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,922 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Another example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,837. U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,837 discloses a mullion mounted door hinge assembly for pivotally guiding upper and lower doors of a refrigerator. The hinge assembly includes a bracket which slidably accepts a generally cylindrical hinge pin. The hinge pin has a larger diameter center section and a pair of relatively smaller diameter end sections. Each of the end sections of the hinge pin extend into an accommodating opening in the upper or lower doors. The upper door is supported on an upwardly directed surface of the center section. A downwardly directed surface of the center section is supported by the lower door. A substantial portion of the weight of the upper door is transferred to the lower door and supported by the lower hinge means. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,837 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Another example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,724. U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,724 discloses a hinge pin swing stop which is coupled to the hinge pin of a door hinge or other hinged object and acts to limit the rotating swing of that object about the hinge. The swing stop can include a section which acts as the replacement hinge pin, a first extension which bears upon the solidly backed structure of a door or other object, and an angular extension which is brought into interfering contact with a structurally solid support to which the hinged object is attached. The point at which swing stopping interferences are encountered is selectedly adjustable. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,724 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     Another example of a conventional hinge is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,440,713. U.S. Pat. No. 1,440,713 discloses a hinge, which is self-locking to hold a door closed or opened and at intermediate points. The locking mechanism can be thrown out of operation when it is not desired to be used. The pintle forms a part of the locking mechanism and can adjust the locking mechanism in and out of an operative position. The pintle will not rotate when the door is being opened or closed. The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 1,440,713 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The various conventional embodiments, described above, may require additional hardware and can be complex to realize the stopping function. 
     Moreover, the various conventional embodiments, described above, fail to provide different types of stopping mechanisms. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to provide a door hinge which provides a user defined swing arc. 
     It is further desirable to provide a door hinge which provides a user defined swing arc with a gradual stopping force being applied before an end of the user defined swing arc is reached. 
     In addition, it is desirable to provide a door hinge which provides a user defined swing arc with interchangeable stopping mechanisms for providing the stopping function at an end of the user defined swing arc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating various embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art door hinge; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an adjustable swing-controlled hinge; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a pintle, hinge leaf, and a hinge knuckle with a contact arm for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge having a first gradual stop end and a second gradual stop end; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a pintle for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge having a first abrupt stop end and a second abrupt stop end; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a pintle for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge having an abrupt stop end and a gradual stop end; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a pintle for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge having a first gradual stop end and a second gradual stop end; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a pintle for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge having a first gradual-to-abrupt stop end and a second gradual-to-abrupt stop end; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a pintle for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge, wherein a stop location corresponds to a closed door position; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a rotating of the pintle of  FIG. 8  to change a stop location to effectively reduced the swing arc of the door; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a modular pintle for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge, wherein a contact arm is near a pintle&#39;s mechanism for securing to a knuckle of a hinge leaf; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a single module of the modular pintle of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a modular pintle for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge, wherein a contact arm is distal of a pintle&#39;s mechanism for securing to a knuckle of a hinge leaf; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an adjustable swing-controlled hinge with a modular pintle; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an adjustable swing-controlled hinge having a pintle, hinge leaves, hinge knuckles, a pseudo knuckle, and a contact arm; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a modular pintle for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge, wherein a contact arm is center of a pintle&#39;s mechanism for securing to a knuckle of a hinge leaf; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates another adjustable swing-controlled hinge having a pintle, hinge leaves, hinge knuckles, a pseudo knuckle, and a contact arm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For a general understanding, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like references have been used throughout to designate identical or equivalent elements. It is also noted that the drawings may not have been drawn to scale and that certain regions may have been purposely drawn disproportionately so that the features and concepts could be properly illustrated. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an adjustable swing-controlled hinge. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the adjustable swing-controlled hinge includes a first hinge leaf  200 , which includes openings  100  to enable the attaching of the first hinge leaf  200  to a door or a door frame. The adjustable swing-controlled hinge includes a second hinge leaf  300 , which includes openings  100  to enable the attaching of the second hinge leaf  300  to a door or a door frame. 
     The first hinge leaf  200  includes knuckles  400 , which form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving a pintle  600 . The second hinge leaf  300  includes knuckles  500 , which form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving pintle  600 . 
     Each knuckle includes an axial dimension and a radius dimension. Moreover, the pintle  600  has an axial dimension and a radius dimension. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the axial dimension of the pintle  600  is greater than a total of the axial dimensions of all knuckles. Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the radius dimension of the pintle  600  is less than the radius dimension of the knuckles. 
     It is noted that the knuckles  400  of first hinge leaf  200  are offset from knuckles  500  of second hinge leaf  300  such that when first hinge leaf  200  properly engages, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , second hinge leaf  300 , knuckles  400  and knuckles  500  form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving pintle  600 . 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , pintle  600  includes teeth  655 , which engage or bite into a knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  so that the pintle  600  does not move with respect to the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  when the pintle  600  is engaged thereto. 
     It is noted that the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  may include corresponding teeth to engage the teeth  655  of pintle  600 . 
     Alternatively, the teeth  655  of pintle  600  may engage or bite into the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  upon the application of an appropriate force so that the teeth  655  of pintle  600  bite into the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200 , thereby preventing movement of the pintle  600  with respect to the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200 . 
     It is noted that the engagement of the pintle  600  with the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  also allows the pintle  600  to move with the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200 . In other words, the pintle  600  does not move with respect to the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200 , but the pintle  600  is attached or secured to the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  so that the pintle  600  moves in conjunction with the movement of the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200 . 
     Optionally, pintle  600  may include a pintle cap  700 , into which the pintle  600  screws (the pintle  600  having screw threads at an end opposite the end having teeth  655 ), thereby securing the engagement of the teeth  655  of pintle  600  with the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  to prevent movement of the pintle  600  with respect to the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200 . 
     Pintle  600  also includes a knob  650  to assist a user to lift the pintle  600  to disengage the pintle  600  from the knuckle. Upon disengagement, the pintle  600  can be rotated a desired distance and direction and then re-engaged with the knuckle. 
     The rotation of the pintle  600  changes the position of the hinge&#39;s swing arc, as will be discussed in more detail below. 
     It is noted that the pintle cap  700  may be integral to pintle  600 , wherein pintle  600  (the pintle  600  having screw threads at an end which would engage the knob  650 ) would screw into the knob  650 , thereby securing the engagement of the teeth  655  of pintle  600  with the knuckle to prevent movement of the pintle  600  with respect to the knuckle. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a pintle  600 , second hinge leaf  300 , and a hinge knuckle  500  with a contact arm  250  for an adjustable swing-controlled hinge. The pintle  600  has a first gradual stop end  620  and a second gradual stop end  625 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the pintle  600  includes a swing arc  672 , which, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is composed of a free swing arc  675 , a first gradual slowing swing arc  677 , and a second gradual slowing swing arc  679 . 
     It is noted that the swing arc  672  of pintle  600  may be composed of different combinations of free swing arcs and/or gradual slowing swing arcs, as will be discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 4-7 . 
     The contact arm  250  is located near the intersection of the hinge leaf  300  and the corresponding knuckle  500 . The actual swing arc of the adjustable swing-controlled hinge is controlled by the interaction of a contact arm  250  and the pintle  600 , as the contact arm  250  traverses the swing arc  672  of the pintle  600 . 
     If the second hinge leaf  300  is attached to a wall, door frame, or other stationary object and the corresponding first hinge leaf  200  is attached to the swinging member; such as a door, gate, etc.; the pintle  600  will rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  because, as noted above, the engagement of the pintle  600  with the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  also allows the pintle  600  to move with the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200 . 
     The combination of the movement of the pintle  600  (tied to swinging hinge leaf) and the stationary state of the contact arm  250  (tied to stationary hinge leaf) causes relative movement between the surface of the pintle  600  and the contact arm  250 , thereby causing the contact arm  250  to traverse the swing arc  672  of the pintle  600 . 
     If the second hinge leaf  300  is attached to the swinging member; such as a door, gate, etc.; and the corresponding first hinge leaf  200  is attached to a wall, door frame, or other stationary object, the pintle  600  will not rotate, but the contact arm  250  will move in conjunction with the rotation of the knuckle  500  of the second hinge leaf  300  because, as noted above the engagement of the pintle  600  with the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200  prevents movement of the pintle  600  with respect to the knuckle  400  of the first hinge leaf  200 . 
     The combination of the stationary state of the pintle  600  (tied to stationary hinge leaf) and the movement of the contact arm  250  (tied to swinging hinge leaf) causes relative movement between the surface of the pintle  600  and the contact arm  250 , thereby causing the contact arm  250  to traverse the swing arc  672  of the pintle  600 . 
     More specifically, as the contact arm  250  traverses the free swing arc  675  of the swing arc  672 , the contact arm  250  does not contact the pintle  600 , thereby enabling a free swing area. 
     On the other hand, as the contact arm  250  traverses from the free swing arc  675  of the swing arc  672  to the first gradual stop end  620 , the contact arm  250  traverses the first gradual slowing swing arc  677 . 
     The first gradual slowing swing arc  677  is an area where the contact arm  250  contacts the pintle  600 . Moreover, the first gradual slowing swing arc  677  is an area where the distance between the outer surface of the pintle  600  and the inner surface of the knuckle  500  decreases as the outer surface of the pintle  600  is closer to the first gradual stop end  620 . 
     More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as the contact arm  250  traverses from the free swing arc  675  of the swing arc  672  to the first gradual stop end  620 , the contact arm  250  encounters a smaller and smaller distance between the outer surface of the pintle  600  and the inner surface of the knuckle  500 , thereby increasing the friction between the contact arm  250  and the pintle  600  and effectively slowing down the swing of the second hinge leaf  300 . 
     The gradual slowing of the swing of the second hinge leaf  300  becomes an actual stopping of the swing of the second hinge leaf  300  when the contact arm  250  engages the first gradual stop end  620 , thereby allowing the second hinge leaf  300  to come to a stop position in a gradual manner. 
     Furthermore, as the contact arm  250  traverses from the free swing arc  675  of the swing arc  672  to the second gradual stop end  625 , the contact arm  250  traverses the second gradual slowing swing arc  679 . 
     The second gradual slowing swing arc  679  is an area where the contact arm  250  contacts the pintle  600 . Moreover, the second gradual slowing swing arc  679  is an area where the distance between the outer surface of the pintle  600  and the inner surface of the knuckle  500  decreases as the outer surface of the pintle  600  is closer to the second gradual stop end  625 . 
     More specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , as the contact arm  250  traverses from the free swing arc  675  of the swing arc  672  to the second gradual stop end  625 , the contact arm  250  encounters a smaller and smaller distance between the outer surface of the pintle  600  and the inner surface of the knuckle  500 , thereby increasing the friction between the contact arm  250  and the pintle  600  and effectively slowing down the swing of the second hinge leaf  300 . 
     The gradual slowing of the swing of the second hinge leaf  300  becomes an actual stopping of the swing of the second hinge leaf  300  when the contact arm  250  engages the second gradual stop end  625 , thereby allowing the second hinge leaf  300  to come to a stop position in a gradual manner. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a pintle  600  with a first abrupt stop end  610  and a second abrupt stop end  615 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the swing arc  672  is composed of a free swing arc  675 . 
     In other words, if the adjustable swing-controlled hinge of  FIG. 3  utilized the pintle  600  of  FIG. 4 , the contact arm  250  would not contact the pintle  600 , as the contact arm  250  traverses the swing arc  672 . 
     However, the swinging hinge leaf would come to an abrupt stop when the contact arm  250  engages either the first abrupt stop end  610  or the second abrupt stop end  615 . 
     Thus, when adjustable swing-controlled hinge utilizes the pintle  600  of  FIG. 4 , the adjustable swing-controlled hinge does not impose a gradual slowing of the hinge leaf as the hinge leaf approaches a stopping position. 
     It is noted that dashed line  680  of  FIG. 4  represents the outer surface of the pintle  600  if the modification were not made to create the swing arc  672 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a pintle  600  with a first abrupt stop end  610  and a first gradual stop end  620 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the swing arc  672  is composed of a free swing arc  675  and a first gradual slowing swing arc  677 . 
     In other words, if the adjustable swing-controlled hinge of  FIG. 3  utilized the pintle  600  of  FIG. 5 , the contact arm  250  would not contact the pintle  600  as the contact arm  250  traverses the swing arc  672 , but would contact the pintle  600  as the contact arm  250  traverses the first gradual slowing swing arc  677 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the swinging hinge leaf would come to an abrupt stop when the contact arm  250  engages the first abrupt stop end  610 . 
     However, the swinging hinge leaf would come to a gradual stop when the contact arm  250  traverses first gradual slowing swing arc  677  in the direction of the first gradual stop end  620 . 
     Thus, when adjustable swing-controlled hinge utilizes the pintle  600  of  FIG. 5 , the adjustable swing-controlled hinge does not impose a gradual slowing of the hinge leaf as the hinge leaf approaches a stopping position in one direction (clockwise), but imposes a gradual slowing of the hinge leaf as the hinge leaf approaches a stopping position in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise). 
     It is noted that dashed line  680  of  FIG. 5  represents the outer surface of the pintle  600  if the modification were not made to create the swing arc  672 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a pintle  600  with a first gradual stop end  620  and a second gradual stop end  625 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the swing arc  672  is composed of a free swing arc  675 , a first gradual slowing swing arc  677 , and a second gradual slowing swing arc  679 . 
     In other words, if the adjustable swing-controlled hinge of  FIG. 3  utilized the pintle  600  of  FIG. 6 , the contact arm  250  would not contact the pintle  600  as the contact arm  250  traverses the swing arc  672 , but would contact the pintle  600  as the contact arm  250  traverses the first gradual slowing swing arc  677  or the second gradual slowing swing arc  679 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the swinging hinge leaf would come to a gradual stop when the contact arm  250  traverses first gradual slowing swing arc  677  in the direction of the first gradual stop end  620 . 
     Moreover, the swinging hinge leaf would come to a gradual stop when the contact arm  250  traverses first gradual slowing swing arc  679  in the direction of the first gradual stop end  625 . 
     Thus, when adjustable swing-controlled hinge utilizes the pintle  600  of  FIG. 6 , the adjustable swing-controlled hinge imposes a gradual slowing of the hinge leaf as the hinge leaf approaches the stopping positions in both directions. 
     It is noted that dashed line  680  of  FIG. 6  represents the outer surface of the pintle  600  if the modification were not made to create the swing arc  672 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a pintle  600  with a first abrupt stop end  610  and a second abrupt stop end  615 . However, as illustrated in  FIG. 7  unlike  FIG. 4 , the swing arc  672  is composed of a free swing arc  675 , a first gradual slowing swing arc  677 , and a second gradual slowing swing arc  679 . 
     In other words, if the adjustable swing-controlled hinge of  FIG. 3  utilized the pintle  600  of  FIG. 7 , the contact arm  250  would not contact the pintle  600  as the contact arm  250  traverses the swing arc  672 , but would contact the pintle  600  as the contact arm  250  traverses the first gradual slowing swing arc  677  or the second gradual slowing swing arc  679 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the swinging hinge leaf would come to an abrupt stop when the contact arm  250  engages first abrupt stop end  610 ; however, the swinging hinge leaf would be slowed because the contact arm  250  traverses the first gradual slowing swing arc  677  in the direction of the first abrupt stop end  610 . 
     Moreover, the swinging hinge leaf would come to an abrupt stop when the contact arm  250  engages second abrupt stop end  620 ; however, the swinging hinge leaf would be slowed because the contact arm  250  traverses the second gradual slowing swing arc  679  in the direction of the second abrupt stop end  620 . 
     Thus, when adjustable swing-controlled hinge utilizes the pintle  600  of  FIG. 7 , the adjustable swing-controlled hinge imposes a gradual slowing of the hinge leaf as the hinge leaf approaches the stopping positions in both directions, but the actual stopping of the swinging of the hinge is abrupt. 
     It is noted that dashed line  680  of  FIG. 7  represents the outer surface of the pintle  600  if the modification were not made to create the swing arc  672 . 
     As noted above, the pintle  600  can be rotated with respect to the knuckles. The rotation of the pintle  600  changes the location of the swing arc  672  with respect to the hinge leaf attached to the door frame, thereby changes the location or the arc of door swing. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the swing arc  672  of the pintle  600  represents ninety degrees and the first abrupt stop end  610  corresponds the closed door location  685 , wherein the closed door location  685  is where the first hinge leaf  200  and the second hinge leaf  300  come in contact when the door is closed. 
     However, if the user desires an effective swing arc of seventy-five degrees, the pintle  600  can be rotated, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , so that the first abrupt stop end  610  cannot be engaged by the contact arm  250  because the first hinge leaf  200  and the second hinge leaf  300  will come in contact, at the closed door location  685 , before the engagement. 
     The moving of the first abrupt stop end  610  beyond the closed door location  685  reduces the angle associated with the swing arc  672 , and thus, with an appropriate rotation of the pintle  600 , an effective swing arc of seventy-five degrees can be realized when a pintle  600  having a swing arc of ninety degrees is utilized in the adjustable swing-controlled hinge. 
     It is noted that if the pintle  600  of  FIG. 8  is rotated in a direction opposite of the rotation realized in  FIG. 9 , the first abrupt stop end  610  would be on a front side of the closed door location  685 , thus shifting the swing arc location so that the door associated with the adjustable swing-controlled hinge would not effectively close all the way. 
     Thus, the rotation of the pintle  600  can reduce the effective swing arc or shift the location of the swing arc. 
     It is noted that the adjustable swing-controlled hinge can utilize pintles having various swing arcs so that rotation of the pintle may not be necessary to realize the desired swing arc. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a modular pintle  600 , which is composed of a first pintle module  610 , a second pintle module  615 , and a third pintle module  618 . 
     The second pintle module  615  includes the swing arc  672 , which engages a contact arm  250 , as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3 through 7 , and may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle or may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to multiple knuckles. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the second pintle module  615  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle. 
     The first pintle module  615  and the third pintle module  618  do not include a swing arc  672 , which engages a contact arm  250 , as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3 through 7 . The first pintle module  615  and the third pintle module  618  may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle or may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to multiple knuckles. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the first pintle module  615  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle, and the third pintle module  618  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to three knuckles. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the modular pintle  600  has a first pintle cap  652  that includes teeth  655 , which engage or bite into a knuckle of the hinge so that the modular pintle  600  does not move with respect to the knuckle when the modular pintle  600  is engaged thereto. 
     It is noted that the knuckle of the hinge may include corresponding teeth to engage the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652 . 
     Alternatively, the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  may engage or bite into the knuckle upon the application of an appropriate force so that the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  bite into the knuckle, thereby preventing movement of the pintle cap  652  with respect to the knuckle. 
     The first pintle cap  652  also includes a first rod  690  and a second rod  695 . The first rod  690  is connected to the first pintle cap  652  at one end and has threads at the other end to engage a second pintle cap  700 . 
     The second rod  695  is connected, off-axis, to the first pintle cap  652 . The second rod  695  prevents the pintle modules from rotating around the first rod  690 . 
     It is noted that second pintle cap  700  may include the first rod  690  such that the first rod  690  is connected to the second pintle cap  700  at one end and has threads at the other end to engage the first pintle cap  652 . However, in this alternative embodiment, the first pintle cap  652  still includes the second rod  695 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , each pintle module has a first opening  612  to allow the first rod  690  to pass therethrough and a second opening  613  to allow the first rod  695  to pass therethrough. The second rod  695 , by passing through the second opening  613 , prevents the pintle modules from rotating around the first rod  690 . 
     The second pintle cap  700 , into which first rod  690  screws, secures the engagement of the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  with the knuckle to prevent movement of pintle  600  with respect to the knuckle. 
     The modular pintle  600  also includes a knob  650  to assist a user to lift the pintle cap  652  to disengage the pintle cap  652  from the knuckle. Upon disengagement, the modular pintle  600  can be rotated a desired distance and direction and then re-engaged with the knuckle. 
     Thus, the rotation of the modular pintle  600  can alter the effective swing arc or shift the location of the swing arc. 
     It is noted that the adjustable swing-controlled hinge can utilize pintles having various swing arcs so that rotation of the pintle may not be necessary to realize the desired swing arc. 
     As noted above, each knuckle includes an axial dimension and a radius dimension. Moreover, each pintle module has an axial dimension and a radius dimension. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a modular pintle  600 , wherein the positions of the pintle modules are changed so that the second pintle module  615 , which includes the swing arc  672 , engages a contact arm  250  associated with a knuckle closer to the second pintle cap  700 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a modular pintle  600  is composed a first pintle module  610 , a second pintle module  615 , and a third pintle module  618 . 
     The second pintle module  615  includes the swing arc  672 , which engages a contact arm  250 , as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3 through 7 , and may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle or may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to multiple knuckles. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the second pintle module  615  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle. 
     The first pintle module  615  and the third pintle module  618  do not include a swing arc  672 , which engages a contact arm  250 , as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3 through 7 . The first pintle module  615  and the third pintle module  618  may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle or may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to multiple knuckles. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the first pintle module  615  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle, and the third pintle module  618  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to three knuckles. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the modular pintle  600  has a first pintle cap  652  that includes teeth  655 , which engage or bite into a knuckle of the hinge so that the modular pintle  600  does not move with respect to the knuckle when the modular pintle  600  is engaged thereto. 
     It is noted that the knuckle of the hinge may include corresponding teeth to engage the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652 . 
     Alternatively, the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  may engage or bite into the knuckle upon the application of an appropriate force so that the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  bite into the knuckle, thereby preventing movement of the pintle cap  652  with respect to the knuckle. 
     The first pintle cap  652  also includes a first rod  690  and a second rod  695 . The first rod  690  is connected to the first pintle cap  652  at one end and has threads at the other end to engage a second pintle cap  700 . 
     The second rod  695  is connected, off-axis, to the first pintle cap  652 . The second rod  695  prevents the pintle modules from rotating around the first rod  690 . 
     It is noted that second pintle cap  700  may include the first rod  690  such that the first rod  690  is connected to the second pintle cap  700  at one end and has threads at the other end to engage the first pintle cap  652 . However, in this alternative embodiment, the first pintle cap  652  still includes the second rod  695 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , each pintle module has a first opening  612  to allow the first rod  690  to pass therethrough and a second opening  613  to allow the first rod  695  to pass therethrough. The second rod  695 , by passing through the second opening  613 , prevents the pintle modules from rotating around the first rod  690 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the second pintle cap  700 , into which the first rod  690  screws, secures the engagement of the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  with the knuckle to prevent movement of the modular pintle  600  with respect to the knuckle. 
     The modular pintle  600  also includes a knob  650  to assist a user to lift the first pintle cap  652  to disengage the first pintle cap  652  from the knuckle. Upon disengagement, the modular pintle  600  can be rotated a desired distance and direction and then re-engaged with the knuckle. 
     To rotate the modular pintle  600 , the threads of the first rod  690  are backed out of the second pintle cap  700  enough for the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  to disengage from the knuckle to allow free rotation thereof. 
     Thus, the rotation of the modular pintle  600  can alter the effective swing arc or shift the location of the swing arc. 
     It is noted that the adjustable swing-controlled hinge can utilize pintles having various swing arcs so that rotation of the pintle may not be necessary to realize the desired swing arc. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a modular pintle  600 , wherein the positions of the pintle modules are changed so that the second pintle module  615 , which includes the swing arc  672 , engages a contact arm  250  associated with a knuckle which is center of the hinge. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a modular pintle  600  is composed a first pintle module  610 , a second pintle module  615 , and a third pintle module  618 . 
     The second pintle module  615  includes the swing arc  672 , which engages a contact arm  250 , as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3 through 7 , and may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle or may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to multiple knuckles. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the second pintle module  615  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle. 
     The first pintle module  615  and the third pintle module  618  do not include a swing arc  672 , which engages a contact arm  250 , as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 3 through 7 . The first pintle module  615  and the third pintle module  618  may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle or may have an axial dimension measurement corresponding to multiple knuckles. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the first pintle module  615  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to a single knuckle, and the third pintle module  618  has an axial dimension measurement corresponding to three knuckles. 
     Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the modular pintle  600  has a first pintle cap  652  that includes teeth  655 , which engages a knuckle of the hinge so that the modular pintle  600  does not move with respect to the knuckle when the modular pintle  600  is engaged thereto. 
     It is noted that the knuckle of the hinge may include corresponding teeth to engage the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652 . 
     Alternatively, the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  may engage the knuckle upon the application of an appropriate force so that the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  bite in the knuckle, thereby preventing movement of the pintle cap  652  with respect to the knuckle. 
     The first pintle cap  652  also includes a first rod  690  and a second rod  695 . The first rod  690  is connected to the first pintle cap  652  at one end and has threads at the other end to engage a second pintle cap  700 . 
     The second rod  695  is connected, off-axis, to the first pintle cap  652 . The second rod  695  prevents the pintle modules from rotating around the first rod  690 . 
     It is noted that second pintle cap  700  may include the first rod  690  such that the first rod  690  is connected to the second pintle cap  700  at one end and has threads at the other end to engage the first pintle cap  652 . However, in this alternative embodiment, the first pintle cap  652  still includes the second rod  695 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , each pintle module has a first opening  612  to allow the first rod  690  to pass therethrough and a second opening  613  to allow the first rod  695  to pass therethrough. The second rod  695 , by passing through the second opening  613 , prevents the pintle modules from rotating around the first rod  690 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the second pintle cap  700 , into which the first rod  690  screws, secures the engagement of the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  with the knuckle to prevent movement the modular pintle  600  with respect to the knuckle. 
     The modular pintle  600  also includes a knob  650  to assist a user to lift the first pintle cap  652  to disengage the first pintle cap  652  from the knuckle. Upon disengagement, the modular pintle  600  can be rotated a desired distance and direction and then re-engaged with the knuckle. 
     To rotate the modular pintle  600 , the threads of the first rod  690  are backed out of the second pintle cap  700  enough for the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  to disengage from the knuckle to allow free rotation thereof. 
     Thus, the rotation of the modular pintle  600  can alter the effective swing arc or shift the location of the swing arc. 
     It is noted that the adjustable swing-controlled hinge can utilize pintles having various swing arcs so that rotation of the pintle may not be necessary to realize the desired swing arc. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an adjustable swing-controlled hinge using the modular pintle of  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 12 , or  FIG. 15 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the adjustable swing-controlled hinge includes a first hinge leaf  200 , which includes openings  100  to enable the attaching of the first hinge leaf  200  to a door or a door frame. The adjustable swing-controlled hinge includes a second hinge leaf  300 , which includes openings  100  to enable the attaching of the second hinge leaf  300  to a door or a door frame. 
     The first hinge leaf  200  includes knuckles  400 , which form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving a modular pintle. The second hinge leaf  300  includes knuckles  500 , which form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving the modular pintle. 
     It is noted that the knuckles  400  of first hinge leaf  200  are offset from knuckles  500  of second hinge leaf  300  such that when first hinge leaf  200  properly engages, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , second hinge leaf  300 , knuckles  400  and knuckles  500  form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving the modular pintle. 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the first pintle cap  652  includes teeth  655 , which engages a knuckle of the hinge so that the first pintle cap  652  does not move with respect to the knuckle when the modular pintle is engaged thereto. 
     It is noted that the knuckle of the hinge may include corresponding teeth to engage the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652 . 
     Alternatively, the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  may engage the knuckle upon the application of an appropriate force so that the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  bite in the knuckle, thereby preventing movement of the modular pintle with respect to the knuckle. 
     The modular pintle includes a second pintle cap  700 , into which the first rod  690  screws, to secure the engagement of the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  with the knuckle to prevent movement of the modular pintle with respect to the knuckle. 
     It is noted that second pintle cap  700  may include the first rod  690  such that the first rod  690  is connected to the second pintle cap  700  at one end and has threads at the other end to engage the first pintle cap  652 . However, in this alternative embodiment, the first pintle cap  652  still includes the second rod  695 . 
     The first pintle cap  652  also includes a knob  650  to assist a user to lift the first pintle cap  652  to disengage the first pintle cap  652  from the knuckle. Upon disengagement, the first pintle cap  652  can be rotated a desired distance and direction and then re-engaged with the knuckle. 
     To rotate the modular pintle, the threads of the first rod  690  are backed out of the second pintle cap  700  enough for the teeth  655  of the first pintle cap  652  to disengage from the knuckle to allow free rotation thereof. 
     Thus, the rotation of the modular pintle can reduce the effective swing arc or shift the location of the swing arc. 
     It is noted that the adjustable swing-controlled hinge can utilize pintles having various swing arcs so that rotation of the pintle may not be necessary to realize the desired swing arc. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an adjustable swing-controlled hinge using either one of the pintles illustrated in  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 7  or the modular pintle illustrated in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 12 , or  FIG. 15 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the adjustable swing-controlled hinge includes a first hinge leaf  200 , which includes openings  100  to enable the attaching of the first hinge leaf  200  to a door or a door frame. The adjustable swing-controlled hinge includes a second hinge leaf  300 , which includes openings  100  to enable the attaching of the second hinge leaf  300  to a door or a door frame. 
     The first hinge leaf  200  includes knuckles  400 , which form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving a pintle. The second hinge leaf  300  includes knuckles  500 , which form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving a pintle. 
     It is noted that the knuckles  400  of first hinge leaf  200  are offset from knuckles  500  of second hinge leaf  300  such that when first hinge leaf  200  properly engages, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , second hinge leaf  300 , knuckles  400  and knuckles  500  form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving a pintle. 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the first hinge leaf  200  includes a modified knuckle  410 , which includes an opening  415 . The opening  415  located near the first hinge leaf  200 . 
     It is noted that the opening  415  may be a gap between the first hinge leaf  200  and modified knuckle  410 . 
     Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the second hinge leaf  300  includes a pseudo knuckle  255 , which includes contact arm  250 . 
     The pseudo knuckle  255  is located on second hinge leaf  300  so that the pseudo knuckle  255  engages the modified knuckle  410  of the first hinge leaf  200  when first hinge leaf  200  properly engages the second hinge leaf  300  to form a hinge. 
     In addition, the pseudo knuckle  255  has a curvature to match the curvature of the outside surface of the modified knuckle  410 . 
     When first hinge leaf  200  properly engages the second hinge leaf  300  to form a hinge, the contact arm  250  of the pseudo knuckle  255  is positioned to engage the pintle through the opening  415  of the modified knuckle  410 . 
     In other words, the contact arm  250  is positioned in the opening  415  of the modified knuckle  410  such that the contact arm  250  comes in contact with the pintle at an abrupt stop end, a gradual stop end, or a gradual slowing swing arc; however, the contact arm  250  is positioned in the opening  415  of the modified knuckle  410  such that the contact arm  250  does not come in contact with the pintle at a free swing arc. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates another adjustable swing-controlled hinge using either one of the pintles illustrated in  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 7  or the modular pintle illustrated in  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 12 , or  FIG. 15 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the adjustable swing-controlled hinge includes a first hinge leaf  200 , which includes openings  100  to enable the attaching of the first hinge leaf  200  to a door or a door frame. The adjustable swing-controlled hinge includes a second hinge leaf  300 , which includes openings  100  to enable the attaching of the second hinge leaf  300  to a door or a door frame. 
     The first hinge leaf  200  includes knuckles  400 , which form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving a pintle. The second hinge leaf  300  includes knuckles  500 , which form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving a pintle. 
     It is noted that the knuckles  400  of first hinge leaf  200  are offset from knuckles  500  of second hinge leaf  300  such that when first hinge leaf  200  properly engages, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , second hinge leaf  300 , knuckles  400  and knuckles  500  form a cylindrical volume that is capable of receiving a pintle. 
     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the second hinge leaf  300  includes a modified knuckle  510 , which includes an opening  515 . The opening  515  located near the second hinge leaf  300 . 
     It is noted that the opening  515  may be a gap between the second hinge leaf  300  and modified knuckle  510 . 
     Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the first hinge leaf  200  includes a pseudo knuckle  255 , which includes contact arm  250 . 
     The pseudo knuckle  255  is located on first hinge leaf  200  so that the pseudo knuckle  255  engages the modified knuckle  510  of the second hinge leaf  300  when first hinge leaf  200  properly engages the second hinge leaf  300  to form a hinge. 
     In addition, the pseudo knuckle  255  has a curvature to match the curvature of the outside surface of the modified knuckle  510 . 
     When first hinge leaf  200  properly engages the second hinge leaf  300  to form a hinge, the contact arm  250  of the pseudo knuckle  255  is positioned to engage the pintle through the opening  515  of the modified knuckle  510 . 
     In other words, the contact arm  250  is positioned in the opening  515  of the modified knuckle  510  such that the contact arm  250  comes in contact with the pintle at an abrupt stop end, a gradual stop end, or a gradual slowing swing arc; however, the contact arm  250  is positioned in the opening  515  of the modified knuckle  510  such that the contact arm  250  does not come in contact with the pintle at a free swing arc. 
     In operation, the adjustable swing-controlled hinge uses a pintle that may include an abrupt stop end (a right angle feature in the curvature of the pintle that engages the contact arm to enable an abrupt stop of the swing), a gradual stop end (a gradual changing curvature surface of the pintle that engages the contact arm to increase friction so as to enable a stop of the swing through frictional braking), a free swing zone or arc (a curvature surface of the pintle that does not engage the contact arm to enable a free swing), and a gradual slowing swing zone or arc (a gradual changing curvature surface of the pintle that engages the contact arm to increase friction so as to enable a slowing of the swing through frictional braking). 
     The gradual stop end of the pintle may be a rough convex niche surface area of the pintle that causes a leading edge of a contact arm to make frictional contact with the pintle. The contact between the contact arm and the rough convex niche surface area of the pintle causes the swing-rate of the hinge to decelerate to a slow frictional braking stop. 
     The gradual slowing swing zone or arc of the pintle may be a rough convex niche surface area of the pintle that causes a leading edge of a contact arm to make frictional contact with the pintle. However, the rough convex niche surface area of the gradual slowing swing zone or arc has a lesser change in surface slope than the rough convex niche surface area of the gradual stop end such that the contact between the contact arm and the rough convex niche surface area of the pintle causes the swing-rate of the hinge to decelerate without causing an actual stop. 
     Utilization of the pintle and contact arm, as described above, enables an operator to control an angle over which a hinge can turn, from nearly zero, up to the hinges total swing range. 
     Moreover, utilization of the pintle and contact arm, as described above, enables an operator to shift or rotate the swing arc. 
     It is noted that utilization of the pintle and contact arm, as described above, provides two types of stops, which are the movable and adjustable. One stop is an abrupt end-stop, and the other stop is a slow frictional braking end-stop. 
     In summary, a hinge for providing a swinging function for a first object attached thereto with respect to a stationary object attached thereto, includes a first leaf; a second leaf; and a pintle; the first leaf having a first knuckle forming a first volume for receiving the pintle; the second leaf having a second knuckle forming a second volume for receiving the pintle; the second knuckle having a contact arm located within the second volume; the pintle having a first stop surface feature and a second stop surface feature; the first stop surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature. 
     The first stop surface feature may be a substantially orthogonal feature in a surface of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize an abrupt stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature. 
     The first stop surface feature may be a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a gradual slowing swing surface feature; the gradual slowing swing surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to decelerate when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by frictional contact, the gradual slowing swing surface. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature; the first stop surface feature being a substantially orthogonal feature in a surface of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize an abrupt stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature being a substantially orthogonal feature in a surface of the pintle such that the second stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize an abrupt stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature; the free swing surface feature being located between the first stop surface feature and the second stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature; the first stop surface feature being a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature being a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the second stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature; the free swing surface feature being located between the first stop surface feature and the second stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature; the first stop surface feature being a substantially orthogonal feature in a surface of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize an abrupt stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature being a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the second stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature; the free swing surface feature being located between the first stop surface feature and the second stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature; a first gradual slowing swing surface feature; and a second gradual slowing swing surface feature; the first gradual slowing swing surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to decelerate when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by frictional contact, the first gradual slowing swing surface; the second gradual slowing swing surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to decelerate when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by frictional contact, the first gradual slowing swing surface; the first stop surface feature being a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature being a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the second stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature; the free swing surface feature being located between the first gradual slowing swing surface feature and the second gradual slowing swing surface feature; the first gradual slowing swing surface feature being located between the free swing surface feature and the first stop surface feature; the second gradual slowing swing surface feature being located between the free swing surface feature and the second stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include an engagement member to engage the first knuckle such that the first knuckle is non-rotational with respect to the pintle and the second knuckle pintle is rotational with respect the pintle. 
     The pintle may be modular and include a first pintle module and a second pintle module; the first pintle module including the first stop surface feature and the second stop surface feature. 
     A hinge for providing a swinging function for a first object attached thereto with respect to a stationary object attached thereto, includes a first leaf; a second leaf; and a pintle; the first leaf having a first knuckle, a second knuckle, and a third knuckle; the second knuckle forming a volume for receiving the pintle; the second knuckle having an opening; the second leaf having a fourth knuckle and a fifth knuckle; the second leaf including a pseudo knuckle located between the fourth knuckle and the fifth knuckle; the pseudo knuckle having a contact arm; the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engaging the pintle through the opening of the second knuckle when the first hinge leaf engages the second hinge leaf to form the hinge; the pintle having a first stop surface feature and a second stop surface feature; the first stop surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature. 
     The first stop surface feature may be a substantially orthogonal feature in a surface of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize an abrupt stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature. 
     The first stop surface feature may be a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a gradual slowing swing surface feature; the gradual slowing swing surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to decelerate when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by frictional contact, the gradual slowing swing surface. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature; the first stop surface feature being a substantially orthogonal feature in a surface of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize an abrupt stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature being a substantially orthogonal feature in a surface of the pintle such that the second stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize an abrupt stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature; the free swing surface feature being located between the first stop surface feature and the second stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature; the first stop surface feature being a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature being a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the second stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature; the free swing surface feature being located between the first stop surface feature and the second stop surface feature. 
     The pintle may include a free swing surface feature such that the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, without contact, the free swing surface feature; the first stop surface feature being a substantially orthogonal feature in a surface of the pintle such that the first stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize an abrupt stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature being a sloping surface feature of the pintle such that the second stop surface feature causes the swinging function of the first object to realize a gradual stop when the contact arm of the pseudo knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature; the free swing surface feature being located between the first stop surface feature and the second stop surface feature. 
     A hinge for providing a swinging function for a first object attached thereto with respect to a stationary object attached thereto, comprising a first leaf; a second leaf; and a modular pintle; the modular pintle being composed of a first pintle module, a second pintle module, and a third pintle module; the first leaf having a first knuckle forming a first volume for receiving the first pintle module and a second knuckle forming a second volume for receiving the third pintle module; the second leaf having a third knuckle forming a third volume for receiving the second pintle module; the second knuckle having a contact arm located within the third volume; the second pintle module having a first stop surface feature and a second stop surface feature; the first stop surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the first stop surface feature; the second stop surface feature causing the swinging function of the first object to stop when the contact arm of the second knuckle engages, by contact, the second stop surface feature. 
     It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed embodiments and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the description above and the following claims.