Abstract:
An improved shoe for a casement window hinge is disclosed. The hinge has a base with a front end and a rear end and two sides. The base has a ridge on the rear end for securing the base to a track and a tongue extending from one of the sides. The tongue has a plurality of teeth extending from a side of the tongue. A gear wheel is adapted to be rotatably secured to a track. The gear wheel has a plurality of teeth about its circumference which mesh with the teeth on the gear wheel. The rotation of the gear wheel causes the base of the hinge to move longitudinally in relation to the track.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is directed to hinges for casement windows and more particularly, improvements in the adjustability of such hinges.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In most construction there are a variety of window types that are available. These windows may include fixed, double hung, casement, transom, etc. Each window has certain benefits and drawbacks. Fixed windows for example are not able to be opened for ventilation. Double hung windows were originally designed to let cooler air in the lower portion and hotter air out the upper portion. Casement windows are advantageous in that the entire window can open.  
         [0003]     Traditional double hung windows ride in a track and are raised and lowered for ventilation. Casement windows are windows that are mounted in a frame and are hingedly connected on one side to a frame, or to the top and bottom, by usually a pair of hinges. Casement windows typically open outwardly, although, there are some casement type windows that open inwardly instead. The pair of hinges that connect a casement window to a frame are usually situated at the tops and bottoms of the windows. The hinges have a track mounted to the window frame and a sash arm connected to the window. The sash arm is connected to the track by a support arm. The support arm is usually pivotally connected to both the track and the sash arm. The sash arm is also pivotally connected to a mounting shoe, which is supported and guided during movement by the track. Another type of hinge mechanism for casement windows has a link between the sash arm and the movable shoe to offset the sash arm.  
         [0004]     The hinge mechanism in casement windows is subject to stress over time. There is a risk that the window may become misaligned whether through poor installation, the weight of the window, weathering or moisture or simply just settling of the house. The hinge mechanism has to compensate for these variations over time. In addition, the fixed track pivot must be properly located relative to the window sash. The fixed track pivot is usually positioned between the support arm and the window frame for proper operation of the window. One of the problems that may be encountered over time is the shifting of the fixed track pivot due to shifting of the window, the window frame, etc., which may result in sagging of the sash. In the event the sash sags, there is a risk that the window may not seal properly and permit moisture and cold air to enter. Another problem that may be caused by sagging of the sash is difficulty in opening and closing the window.  
         [0005]     Prior art casement windows attempted to overcome problems with sagging of the sash by requiring precise installation of the hinge mechanism. Another approach has been to permit adjustment of the track to compensate for the sagging sash. In these windows, however, repeated adjustment of the track could result in the mounting assembly for the track undergoing fatigue and gradually loosening. In addition, to adjust the track of many casement windows the window must be open and it is difficult to determine whether the window will close satisfactorily when the adjustment is made. As a result, there is a need for the casement window hardware to be particularly strong and withstand the stresses of opening and closing these windows as well as the weight of the window and settling of the house.  
         [0006]     As a result, there is a need for an improved hinge for casement windows which will permit the installer, repair person and/or home owner to adjust the hinge either during installation or later to compensate for sagging of the sash, frames being out of alignment, and other problems with the casement windows that made it difficult to install the windows or adjust their movement once they have been installed in a window.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is an object of the invention to provide an improved hinge for casement windows.  
         [0008]     It is also an object of the invention to provide a casement window hinge that is more adjustable than traditional hinges.  
         [0009]     It is another object of the invention to provide a hinge for casement windows that is stronger than traditional casement window hinges.  
         [0010]     It is still another object of the invention to provide an improved casement window hinge that will prevent the casement window from becoming misaligned over time.  
         [0011]     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a casement window hinge that assists in preventing the casement window from sagging.  
         [0012]     It is also an object of the invention to provide a casement window hinge that is resistant to wear and tear over time.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The casement hinge of the present invention includes a track that may be secured to a casement window frame, a sash arm extending from said track and a support arm that connects the sash arm and the track. On one side or edge of the track there is a rail for retaining a hinge shoe and permitting the shoe to travel along the rail in the track as the window is opened and closed. The sash arm is pivotally mounted at one end thereof on the track by means of a hinge shoe. The hinge shoe is connected to the sash arm by a suitable connection means such as a screw, pin or a rivet. The connection means should permit pivotal movement of the sash arm in relation to the shoe. The sash arm has another connection means which can also be a screw, pin or rivet, that connects the sash arm to the support arm at any one of a number of locations along the sash arm. The multiple connection points increase the adjustability of the hinge to fit any number of casement windows as well as correct minor errors in installation or sagging over time. The connection means joining the sash arm and the support arm should also permit pivotal movement of the two arms. The first shoe is preferably retained in the track to prevent it from becoming separated from the track and the shoe should be able to ride along the track longitudinally as necessary to permit movement of the window.  
         [0014]     The first shoe has a plate that has a generally flat portion which is provided with two orifices. The first of these orifices provides a means for connecting the sash arm to the shoe. The second orifice provides a second location for securing the sash arm to the shoe for different windows. Extending upwardly from the top surface of the plate is a ridge or flange that retains the shoe in the rail. On the underside of the plate there are a first rim and a second rim that raise the plate above the track surface so that a rivet or bolt, or pin or screw that is inserted into the either of the two orifices to secure the sash arm to the hinge shoe does not interfere with the travel of the hinge along the track.  
         [0015]     One end of the support arm is pivotally connected to the sash arm. The other end of the support arm is connected to a second shoe or gear rack. The second shoe has a fixed position on the track and permits the second end of the support arm to pivot about a pin during opening and closing of the window. In one embodiment of the present invention, the support arm is retained on the pin by a clip. The second shoe is preferably secured to the track through a orifice in the shoe that generally lines up with a orifice in the track by a screw or other means that preferably passes through the track orifice and enters the window frame. Preferably, the orifice or slot is oblong i.e., a relatively long narrow opening. The longer the slot in the shoe, the greater the amount of adjustability that is possible along the track of the hinge. This shape permits the shoe to be adjusted longitudinally. The screw will also provide further anchoring of the hinge to the window frame. The shoe has a recessed base section that has the orifice for securing the shoe to the track. There is also a second orifice that receives a rivet for pivotally securing the support arm to the shoe. Adjacent the recessed base section there may be a raised ledge. On the side of the ledge that is opposite the recessed base section there is a tongue that is provided with a plurality of teeth. Running along the rear of the shoe is a ridge or flange that helps retains the second hinge shoe to the rail. The gear wheel is rotatably secured to the track by a rivet. The rivet is preferably slotted in some manner to permit a screw driver or other type of driver to turn the gear wheel. The teeth on the wheel mesh with the teeth on the tongue and as the gear wheel is turned the tongue is moved in a longitudinal direction along the track. This permits the second shoe to be adjusted to increase the flexibility of the hinge of the present invention in many applications. In particular, the adjustability of the second shoe increases the ease of installation, reduces the effects of sagging in the window and reduces the effects of wear and tear on the components of the hinge over time. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the hinge of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of a clip used in the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the hinge of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the hinge of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a hinge shoe of the hinge of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a view of the underside of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a view of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 4  taken along A-A.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 4  taken along B-B of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a view of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 4  taken along C-C.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the second hinge shoe of the hinge of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is an end view of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a view of the underside of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is another end view of the hinge shoe of  FIG. 10  taken from the right side of the shoe.  
         [0031]      FIG. 15  is a side top perspective view of the gear rack of the shoe of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 16  is front perspective view of the gear rack of the shoe of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 17  is underside perspective view of the gear rack of the shoe of  FIG. 10 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]     A preferred embodiment of the casement hinge  10  of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . The hinge includes a track  11 , a sash arm  12  and a support arm  13 . The track  11  is preferably a generally rectangular sheet of metal or plastic having a first end  14  and a second end  15 . The ends are joined together by a first side  16  and a second side  17 . Second side  17  preferably is provided with a rail  18  for retaining the hinge shoe and permitting it to travel along the rail in the track  11 . The rail may be any suitable means to retain the shoe and permit it to ride along the rail. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the rail has a rail top member  19 , and rail side members  20  and  21 . The rail side member  21  may be adhered to the track by any suitable means such as welding or it may be integral with the track. The track is provided with one or more orifices  22  and  23  that enable the track to be secured to the frame of the casement window by screws or other fastening devices.  
         [0035]     Extending from the track is sash arm  12 . The sash arm  12  has a first end  24  and a second end  25  and a pair of sidewalls  26  and  27  joining the top and bottom surfaces of the sash arm. The top surface  28  of the sash arm has a number of orifices  29  that extend through the arm to the underside of the sash arm  12 . These orifices are for mounting the sash arm to a window sash (not shown) through the use of screws that retain the sash arm on the window frame. At the first end  24  of the sash arm  12  there is a first shoe  30  that is connected to the sash arm by a suitable means such as a screw or a rivet  31 . The connection means  31  should permit pivotal movement of the sash arm in relation to the shoe. The sash arm  12  has another connection means  32  which can also be a screw or a rivet that connects the sash arm to the support arm  13  at any one of a number of orifices  29  in the sash arm  12 . The location of the connection means  32  along the sash arm for connection of the sash arm and the support arm  13  can vary depending on the type of window and the amount the window is intended to be opened. The connection means  32  joining the sash arm  12  and the support arm  13  should also permit pivotal movement of the two arms. The first shoe  30  is preferably retained in the track to prevent it from becoming separated from the track and the shoe should be able to ride along the track longitudinally as necessary to permit movement of the window.  
         [0036]     As seen in  FIG. 4  the first shoe  30  has a plate  34  that has a generally flat portion  35 , which is provided with a first orifice  36  and a second orifice  37 . The first of these orifices  36  provides a means for connecting the sash arm  12  to the shoe. The second orifice  37  provides a second location for securing the sash arm to the shoe for different windows. Thus, the manufacturer can use the same hinge for a number of different window types because of the built-in variations in the hinge. These variations include the first orifice  36  and second orifice  37  in the first shoe  30  for securing the sash arm  12  as well as the plurality of orifices  29  in the sash arm  12  where the support arm may be secured. Extending upwardly from the top surface  38  of the plate  34  is a ridge or flange  39  that retains the shoe in the rail  18 . On the underside  40  of the plate  34  there are a first rim  41  and a second rim  42  that raise the plate above the track surface so that a rivet or bolt or screw that is inserted into the either of the two orifices  36  or  37  to secure the sash arm  12  to the hinge shoe  30  does not interfere with the travel of the hinge along the track.  
         [0037]     One end  43  of the support arm  13 , as noted above, is pivotally connected to the sash arm  12 . The other end  44  of the support arm is connected to a second shoe or gear rack  45 . The second shoe has a generally fixed position on the track and permits the second end  44  of the support arm  13  to pivot about a pin  57  during opening and closing of the window. In one embodiment of the present invention, the support arm is retained on the pin  57  by removable clip  58 . In another embodiment, the clip, a sliding clip, rides along the support arm and engages with the pin. This preferred clip has a first arm and a second arm that are shaped to encircle the pin. The arms are connected by a flat base portion that extends from the arms. At one side of the base portion, there is a first flange extending downwardly from the base portion and a second flange extending from the opposite side of the base portion. Extending inwardly from the bottom edge of each of the flanges is a retaining means. In operation, the arm is received by the area formed by the underside of the base portion, the flanges and the retaining means. If this embodiment is used, a slot may be cut into the support arm to allow the clip to move between two positions, fixed and unfixed. The sliding clip permits the arm to be released for ease of installation of the window without risking the loss of the clip.  
         [0038]     The second shoe  45  is preferable secured to the track  11  through an orifice  46  in the shoe that generally lines up with a orifice  47  in the track by a screw  48  or other means that preferably passes through the track orifice and enters the window frame. Preferably, the orifice or slot  46  is oblong as shown in  FIG. 10 . The longer the slot in the shoe, the greater the amount of adjustability that is possible along the track of the hinge. This shape permits the shoe to be adjusted longitudinally in the event the casement hinge needs to be adjusted. This screw will also provide further anchoring of the hinge to the window frame. The shoe has a recessed base section  49  that has the orifice  46  for securing the shoe to the track. There is also a second orifice  50  that receives a rivet or pin  57  for pivotally securing the support arm  13  to the shoe. Adjacent the recessed base section  49  there is preferably a raised ledge  52  that provides additional strength to the shoe. On the side of the ledge  52  that is opposite the recessed base section  49  there is a tongue  53  that is provided with a plurality of teeth  54 . Running along the rear of the shoe is a ridge or flange  55  that helps retains the second hinge shoe  45  to the rail  18 . Gear wheel  56  may be rotatably secured to the track by a rivet. The gear wheel  56  has a head  59 , which is preferably slotted in some manner to permit a screw driver or other type of driver to turn the gear wheel. The teeth on the wheel mesh with the teeth on the tongue  53  and as the gear wheel is turned the tongue is moved in a longitudinal direction within the slot  46 . The teeth on the gear wheel and the shoe permit the shoe to be adjusted over a wider range of locations then has heretofore been possible with the prior art hinges.