What's this thing called? Spring hinge?

[Skobie]

Not directly garage-related, but I have an interior door that has a torsion spring-type device that fits on a longer-than-usual hinge pin. It makes the interior door "self closing".

Questions:

1) What is this device called?
2) If I have to remove the door for a reason, how on earh do I re-compress the spring once it unfurls?

Thank you in advance!

 

[ghnl]

Spring Hinge is likely an appropriate name.

On such items I have used there is a piece at the top of the springe loaded hinge pin that allows you to wind or unwind the spring. Look for some holes in the top of the device. In one of the holes will be a small pin. Insert a stiff rod into another hole (an allen wrench should work), tighten the spring slightly and you can then remove the small pin. Unwind the spring (using the stiff rod/allen wrench) to release the tension. You might need to re-insert the pin once or twice in order to reposition the winding/unwinding tool.

 

[Jack Olsen]

'Self-closing hinge.'

As Eric points out, sometimes there is a hole in the side that you can insert a pin/key into to adjust the spring tension. Depending on the design of your particular hinge, you might be able to use the same pin/key to slacken the spring before you remove it.