Patent ID: 8201304

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a frame; a door comprising a top and bottom; and a hinge mechanism hingably mounting the door to the frame, the hinge mechanism comprising: a receiver mounted to the frame; a resistance coupled to the receiver; a pair of spaced-apart pins affixed to the receiver; a pivoting member pivotably coupled to the receiver, the pivoting member comprising a single curved slot configured to receive the pair of spaced apart pins to allow the pivoting member to pivot about a pivot point in front of the frame and the bottom of the door; a hinge component coupled to the door and configured to engage the pivoting member; and wherein said resistance slidably engages a cam surface of said pivoting member to provide a preload to balance the door in a first open position and an increasing force resisting further opening of the door when the preload is overcome and the door is opened past the first open position.