Abstract:
A hinge for casement windows is disclosed. The said hinge includes a track and a shoe that is adapted to travel along the track. There is a sash arm that is pivotally connected and extending from the shoe and a support arm. The support arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally connected to the sash arm and said second end of the support arm is pivotally connected to the track. The support arm has an orifice for receiving a pin extending from the track. The support arm has a clip for securing the support arm to the track. The clip has a grip extending therefrom to assist in moving the clip from a first position to a second position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of hinges for casement windows and, more particularly, to improvements in the adjustability of such hinges. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     A further complication with casement windows is the difficulty of adjusting the hinges in order to permit the window to open wider. In an emergency situation where the casement window needs to be opened further than permitted by the hinge, there is a need for a mechanism by which a user can easily disassemble the hinge and open the window as wide as needed. Further, any improvement in the ease with which a user can adjust the casement window hinge would greatly assist that user in installation and cleaning of the casement and save time and stress. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved hinge for casement windows. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a casement window hinge that is more adjustable than traditional hinges. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hinge for casement windows that is stronger than traditional casement hinges. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved casement window hinge that will prevent the casement window from becoming misaligned over time. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a casement window hinge that assists in preventing the casement window from sagging. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a casement window hinge that is resistant to wear and tear over time. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide casement window hinge which may be easily disassembled when necessary in the case of an emergency or situation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a casement window hinge that can be easily disassembled in the event of an emergency, danger, or even for installation of cleaning of the windows. The invention consists of 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 sliding 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 sliding shoe. The 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 support arm should also permit pivotal movement of the two arms. The sliding 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. 
     The sliding 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 either of the two orifices to secure the sash arm to the hinge does not interfere with the travel of the hinge along the track. 
     One end of the support arm is pivotally connected to the sash arm. The other end of the support arm is connected to the track or some secondary structure that is, itself, connected to the track. For instance, in one preferred embodiment, 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 another embodiment, the other end of the support arm is connected to a block. The block may be of any practical shape or configuration, but it preferably has a lip or flange for receiving the sliding shoe. The sliding shoe acts to impede the travel of the sliding shoe along the rail of the track, when the window is opened. However, the block has a recess on its surface for a user to grip and it may be pivoted around the axle of whatever connecting mechanism (screw, stud, pin, etc.) attaches it to the support arm. In this way, the window may be opened wider if so desired. Although this block may be of any practical shape or configuration, in the preferred embodiment, it contains a detent in order to prevent the block from rotating around the pin back and forth between the open and closed positions. Finally, the support arm does not have to be connected to a secondary structure at all, but may, alternatively, be connected directed to the track by a screw, pin, stud, or other connective means. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the support arm is retained on the pin by a clip. The clip is preferably rounded and it fits itself within a recessed portion in the pin, stud, or screw used to attach the support arm. The clip also has two flanges extending downward around the sidewalls of the support arm and two more extensions for receiving the support arm. Extending outward from the flange, in the preferred embodiment, is at least one gripping mechanism, more preferably, a protrudent ring, that may be gripped by a user and pulled in order to detach the clip from the pin or stud to which it is secured. In this manner, the casement window may be opened completely In the event of an emergency or even simply to assist in the cleaning or installation of the window. Any secondary structure or connective means is preferably secured to the track through an orifice in the track that lines with any orifice in the second shoe or block 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 the greater the amount of adjustability that is possible along the track of the hinge. 
     In addition to the connection of the support arm to the track or a block or second shoe, the present invention contains a means of restricting the angle at which the window may opened. This may be achieved by any practicable means. But, in the preferred embodiments of the present invention, there are several examples of how this may be achieved. For instance, in one embodiment, a stopper on the bottom surface of the sash arm makes contact with the side wall of the support arm and prohibits the angle created between the sash arm and the support opening beyond a certain degree. Another embodiment utilizes a detent clip which is mounted to the rail of the track to impede the travel of the sliding shoe along the rail. When a user desires the sliding shoe to pass over the clip, the clip may be pressed down. But, when the clip is in its normal raised position in relation to the track, the raised end of the clip makes contact with the sliding shoe and prohibits further travel down the track. And, a final example, of a stopping mechanism is the block discussed above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a preferred embodiment casement window hinge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1  showing the end opposite that shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the sliding shoe of the hinge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the underside of the sliding shoe of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the casement window hinge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the block of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the connecting mechanism for attaching the support arm to the track of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the block of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1  connected to the track and rotated approximately 45 degrees from its fixed position. 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of the block of  FIG. 13  in its fixed position. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the block of  FIG. 13  rotated approximately 180 degrees from its fixed position. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the block of  FIG. 13  rotated approximately 90 degrees from its position. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1 , where the block, in its fixed position, has impeded the sliding shoe from traveling further along the track. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 1 , where the block, rotated 180 degrees from its fixed position, has impeded the sliding shoe from traveling further along the track. 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the casement window hinge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the sliding shoe and the detent clip of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the sliding shoe passing over the detent clip of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19  to close the window. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the sliding shoe passing further over the detent clip of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19  to close the window. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the sliding shoe approaching the detent clip of the window casement hinge of  FIG. 19  in order to open the window. 
         FIG. 25  is another perspective view of the sliding shoe interacting with the detent clip of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 26  is another perspective view of the sliding shoe passing over the detent clip of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19  in order to open the window. 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the sliding shoe and detent clip of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19  with the window in an open position. 
         FIG. 28  is a side view of the detent clip&#39;s interaction with the rail of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 29  is an end view of the detent clip&#39;s interaction with the rail of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 30  is a top view of the detent clip of the casement window hinge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a side perspective view of the stud of the connecting mechanism that attaches the support arm to the track in a preferred embodiment of the casement window hinge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the connecting mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the casement window hinge of the present invention with the removable screw outside the orifice in the stud. 
         FIG. 33  is a side cross section view of the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 34  is an exploded view of the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 32  with the support arm also shown. 
         FIG. 35  is an exploded view of the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 32  without the support arm. 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 32  with the support arm attached. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 32  with the support arm detached. 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view of the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 32  with the support arm detached and the adjustable screw situated in a different position within the orifice of the stud. 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective view of the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 32  with the support arm attached and the adjustable screw situated in the same position as in  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 40  is a top view of the orifice in the support arm that interacts with the connecting mechanism of  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 41  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the removable clip of the casement window hinge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 42  is a view of the underside of the removable clip of  FIG. 41 . 
         FIG. 43  is a bottom view of the sash arm and support of the casement window hinge of the present invention. 
         FIG. 44  is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the casement window hinge of the present invention that does not utilize a second shoe, block or detent clip. 
         FIG. 45  is a side view of the second shoe of the casement window hinge of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 46  is an underside perspective view of the gear rack of the second shoe of  FIG. 45 . 
         FIG. 47  is a front perspective view of the gear rack of the second shoe of  FIG. 45 . 
         FIG. 48  is a side top perspective view of the gear rack of the second shoe of  FIG. 45 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     The present invention is an improved hinge for casement windows that utilizes a circled clip, preferably with a protrudent ring for easy removal of the clip and egressing of the window when the user has need to open the window fully or is in a dangerous circumstance. The casement window hinge of the present invention generally consists of a support arm and sash arm joined by a rivet and connected to a track on which they slide. The support arm, however, has the ability to be disconnected from the stud that attaches it to the track on which it slides. There are several preferred embodiments of the hinge of the present invention that all achieve effectively the easy removal of the support arm from its track in order to disassemble the hinge in an emergency. 
     A preferred embodiment of the casement window hinge  10  of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The hinge comprises a track  11  and two arms  12  and  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  14  and  15  are joined together by a first side  16  and a second side  17 . The second side  17  preferably is provided with a rail  18  for retaining the sliding shoe and permitting it to travel along the rail  18  in the track  11 . The rail  18  may be any suitable means to retain the shoe and permit it to ride along the rail  18 . The rail  18  has a top member  19 , and a first  20  and second rail side member  21  (see  FIG. 6 ). The first rail side member  20  may be adhered to the track  11  by any suitable means such as welding or it may be integral with the track  11 . The track  11  is provided with one or more orifices  22  and that enable the track  11  to be secured to the frame of the casement window by screws or other fastening devices. 
     Extending from the track is a sash arm  12 . The sash arm has a first end  23  and a second end  24  and a pair of sidewalls  25  and  26  joining the top  27  and bottom surfaces  28  of the sash arm. The top surface  27  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 the window sash through the use of screws that retain the sash arm on the window frame. At the first end  23  of the sash arm  12  there is a sliding 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 .  FIG. 5  shows an end view of the attached sash and support arms. The location of the connection means  32  along the sash arm for connection of the sash arm and 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 sliding shoe  30  is preferably retained in the track  11  to prevent it from becoming separated from the track and the sliding shoe should be able to ride along the track longitudinally as necessary to permit movement of the window. However, in alternate embodiments, it may be removable so as to allow an even wider opening of the casement window when necessary. For precisely that reason, the sliding shoe  30  is secured to the sash arm  12  and can be easily fit into the rail of the track  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , the sliding shoe  30  of the hinge  10  of the present invention has a plate  33  that has a generally flat portion  34 , which is provided with a first orifice  35  and a second orifice  36 . The first of these orifices provides a means for connecting the sash arm to the sliding shoe. The second orifice  36  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 windows because of the built-in variations in the hinge. These variations include the first orifice  35  and second orifice  36  in the sliding 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  13  may be secured. Extending upwardly from the top surface  37  of the plate  33  of the sliding shoe  30  is a ridge or flange  38  that retains the shoe  30  in the rail  18 . On the underside  39  of the plate  33  there is a first rim  40  and a second rim  41  that raise the plate above the track surface so that a rivet or bolt or screw that is inserted into either of the two orifices  35  and  36  to secure the sash arm  12  to the sliding shoe  30  does not interfere with the travel of the hinge along the track  11 . 
     One end  42  of the support arm  13 , as noted above, is pivotally connected to the sash arm  12 . Although  FIG. 44  shows an embodiment where the support arm  13  is pivotally connected directly to the track  11  itself, in one embodiment, illustrated by  FIG. 9 , the other end  43  of the support arm  13  is connected to a second shoe or gear rack  44 . The second shoe  44  has a generally fixed position on the track and permits the second end  43  of the support arm  13  to pivot about a connecting mechanism  31 , like a pin or stud, during opening and closing of the window.  FIGS. 10-18  illustrate another embodiment, where the second end  43  of the support arm is connected to a block  45 , which is generally flat, much like the sliding shoe  30 . As seen in  FIG. 10 , the block  45  may be of any practicable shape, but generally has a first  46  and second end  47 , as well as two sidewalls  48  and  49 . The block  45 , like the second shoe, has a generally fixed position on the track and permits the second end  43  of the support arm  13  to pivot about a connecting mechanism  31  during opening and closing of the window. It may be secured to the support arm  13  by any practicable means. However, in the preferred embodiment, the block  45  is fixed onto a stud  50  which reeves through orifices in the support arm  51 , the block  52  and the track  22 . 
     The block also has at its first end has a lip or flange  53  for receiving the mating end  54  of the sliding shoe  30  and restricting its travel along the track  11 . However, in a preferred embodiment, although the block  45  is generally fixed on the track, it has the ability to pivot along the axle of the stud or other connecting mechanism  50  in order to allow the casement window, when necessary, to be opened up wider, without detaching the sash arm  12  from the track  11 .  FIGS. 13-18  show how a user may preferably pivot the block  45  through use of a gripping mechanism, preferably a groove  55  on the block&#39;s surface  56 , which can be grasped in order to lift the block  45  and rotate it around the axle. Although this block may be of any practical shape or configuration, in the preferred embodiment, it contains a detent in order to prevent the block from rotating around the pin back and forth between the open and closed positions. In the preferred embodiment, this detent is a resilient arm  57  along the second sidewall  49  of the block, which bends inward upon the application of the proper amount of force by the user and permits the block&#39;s rotation up to 180 degrees, at which point the second side member  21  of the rail  18  of the track  11  prohibits further pivoting of the block  45 . However, because the resilient arm  57  is strong enough to arrest the rotation of the block  45  in the absence of a user&#39;s forcible rotation of the block  45 , the resilient arm  57  acts as a detent that prevents the block  45  from spontaneously rotating from an open position to a closed position. 
     Although a lip or flange  53  exists on the block  45  for reception of the sliding shoe  30 , the block  45  in an open position may still restrict the sliding shoe&#39;s travel along the track  11 , by obstructing its path along the track. However, the further the block  45  is rotated along the axle, the longer the sliding shoe  30  and sash arm  12  can travel unrestricted, and, thus, the wider the window may be opened. In another embodiment, the support arm  13  of the present invention is pivotally connected to neither a sliding shoe nor a block, but is merely connected to the track  11  itself, via some sort of connecting mechanism  50 , such as a pin, or a stud or bolt of some sort. 
     In order for the casement window hinge  10  of the present invention to be able to function properly in inhibiting a user&#39;s ability to normally open the casement window wider than a certain permissible distance, there are several means of inhibiting the sliding shoe&#39;s movement along the track of the hinge. In the first instance, the support arm  13  of the present invention is attached by a connective mechanism  50  to the track  11  at the end  15  opposite the sliding shoe&#39;s connection to the track. This inhibits a user from being able to detach the sash arm  12 , support arm  13 , and/or the sliding shoe  30  from the track  11 . On the other side, there must be something to impede the sliding shoe&#39;s travel along the track when the casement window is being opened, so that the window does not open too far. The embodiment discussed above, with the block  45  has already achieved this by prohibiting the sliding shoe&#39;s travel when it makes contact with the block. However, in alternate embodiments, all other practicable means of restricting the sliding shoe&#39;s travel may be utilized. 
     One example of a practicable method of achieving this is by having at least one stopper, in the form of a protrusion  58  on the first sidewall  59  of the sash arm  12 . In between the orifices  29  of the sash arm  12  there is a cylindrical-shaped protrusion  58  which makes contact with the side wall  59  of the support arm  13  and restricts the sash arm&#39;s movement at any open angle desired (for example, 90 degrees). The stopper  58  may be of any shape and made of any material that would achieve the desired restriction of the sash arm  12 . A screw, pin or stud attached to the bottom surface  28  of the sash arm  12  or even reeved through an orifice  29  in the sash arm  12  is even a possible means of creating a stopper  58 . 
     Another example, shown in  FIGS. 19-30 , of a possible stopping mechanism is a detent clip  60 , that is, a clip that is mounted, by a rivet or other attaching mechanism  61 , onto the track  11  of the hinge  10 . The detent clip  60  generally has two ends  92  and  93 . The first end of the clip is attached to the track by the rivet  61 , but in the preferred embodiment, the attaching mechanism  61 , may be removed from the orifice  22  in the track  11  and be placed in another orifice  22  in the track  11  so that the detent clip  60  may be moved along the track as the user desires. The second end  93  of the detent clip  60 , is generally raised with relation to the track  11 , so that it stops the travel of the sliding shoe  30  along the track  11 . However, the sliding shoe  30  may pass over the detent clip  60  back and forth when a user presses down on the raised end  93  of the clip  60 , so as to lower it and allow the shoe&#39;s travel along the track  11 . The detent clip  60  on the track  11 , therefore restricts the sliding shoe  30  passing over its raised end  93 , which catches the sliding shoe  30  in its travel along the track  11  in both directions. These are only two of many possible examples of useful stopping mechanisms to restrict the ability of the sliding shoe  30  to travel freely along the track. 
     There are several means for securing the support arm to the track and ensuring proper functioning of the casement window hinge of the present invention. In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 31-40 , a stud  50  extends upward from the surface of the first side  17  of the track  11 , connected by any means practicable to one knowledgeable in the art. This stud  50  reeves into an orifice in whatever securing means in either the second shoe  44 , block  45 , or simply, the support arm  13  itself. The stud  50 , shown in  FIG. 31 , is generally cylindrical in shape and, in the preferred embodiment, the stud or pin  50  will generally have a crown  62  and a body  63 . The crown  62  is characterized by a flat upper surface  64 , a flange  65  extending downward from the upper surface  64 , and a recessed track  66  extending inward from the flange  65 , in which a connecting mechanism, such as a removable clip, may fit. The body  63  of the stud  50  also has a sidewall  67  which preferably contains an orifice  68  that runs completely through the center of the stud. In one embodiment, this orifice  68  is used to house a screw  69 , shown in  FIG. 32-34 , which is secured within the orifice&#39;s confines. This screw  69  is preferably removable and adjustable to permit greater variation in the pivotability of the hinge  10  (see  FIGS. 36-39 ). When the stud  50  is placed through the orifice in the support arm  51 , the orifice  51 , pictured in  FIG. 40 , will be shaped to fit both the stud  50  and the screw  69  and, as such, the connection between the support arm  13  and the stud  50  will be more secure and the casement hinge  10  will have greater adjustability. The stud  50  herein disclosed also may be enclosed within a sheath  81  as illustrated in the drawings. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support arm  13  is retained in the recessed track on the pin or stud  50  in the second shoe, block, or track around which it pivots by a connecting means, preferably a removable clip  70 , pictured in  FIGS. 41-42 . This clip  70  is preferably a sliding clip and rides along the support arm  13  and engages with the pin or stud  50 . This preferred clip  70  may be generally of any shape, but it has a first arm  71  and a second arm  72  that are shaped to encircle the pin or stud. The arms  71  and  72  are connected by a flat base portion  73  that extends from the arms. At one side of the base portion  73 , there is a first sidewall  74  extending downwardly and a second sidewall  75  extending from the opposite side of the base portion  73 . Extending inwardly from each of the flanges  74  and  75  is a retaining means  76  and  77 . In operation, the support arm  13  is received by the area formed by the underside of the base portion  78 , the flanges  74  and  75 , and retaining means  76  and  77  (see  FIG. 43 ). If this embodiment is used, a slot  79  may be cut into the support arm to allow the clip to move between two positions, fixed and unfixed. A flange  91  extending downward from the clip  70  fits into the slot  79  in the support arm  13  rides along it to move the clip between the fixed and unfixed position. This action permits the arm  13  to be released for ease of installation of the window without risking the loss of the clip and to allow a user to open the window wider than permitted by the hinge in a dangerous circumstance. 
     In the preferred embodiment, in order to enhance the ease with which this clip may be removed, the clip  70  has at least one gripping mechanism, preferably a protrudent ring  80 , extending outwardly from one of the flanges  74  and  75  of the base portion  73  of the sliding clip  70 . Although the protrudent ring  80  is preferably circular in shape, it may be of any shape useful to one skilled in the art. The protrudent ring&#39;s utility is that it may be gripped by a user and used to slide the clip  70  upward along the support arm  13  in order to disengage it from the pin or stud  50  to which it is connected. When the clip  70  is disengaged, the support arm  13  may be disconnected from the track  11  and the window may be opened wider than previously permitted by the hinge  10 . 
     The support arm  13 , second shoe  44 , and/or block  45  are preferably secured to the track  11  through orifices in the support arm  51 , second shoe  82 , block  35  and the track  22  that generally line up with each other by a screw or other means  50  that preferably passes through the track orifice and enters the window frame. As illustrated by  FIGS. 45-48 , the second shoe has a recessed base section  83  that has an orifice  84 , separate from the one that connects to the support arm  13 , that receives a rivet or pin for pivotally securing the shoe  44  to the track  11 . Preferably, the orifice  84  or slot is oblong. The longer the slot, the greater the amount of adjustability that is possible along the track of the hinge. For instance, this shape permits a second shoe to be adjusted longitudinally in the event the casement hinge needs to be adjusted. The connecting mechanism will also provide further anchoring of the hinge to the window frame. Adjacent the recessed base section  83  there is preferably a raised ledge  85  that provides additional strength to the shoe  44 . On the side of the ledge  85  that is opposite the recessed base section  83  there is a tongue  86  that is provided with a plurality of teeth  87 . Running along the rear of the shoe is a ridge or flange  88  that helps retains the second hinge shoe  44  to the rail  18 . Gear wheel  89  may be rotatably secured to the track  11  by a rivet. The gear wheel  89  has a head  90 , 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  86  and as the gear wheel is turned the tongue is moved in a longitudinal direction within the slot  84 . 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.