One-point grease distribution system for belt conveyor idlers

An improved one-point grease distribution system for belt conveyor idlers of a type including bearings with inner and outer races and a shaft disposed through the inner races. The shaft has an axial bore on each end thereof and at least one flow port connecting the blind end of each axial bore with the outside periphery of the shaft. A first annular seal member is disposed on each end of the shaft. A grease tube is disposed around the shaft and is sealed by the first annular seal members to the shaft at each end thereof to form a continuous grease supply passageway on one end of the shaft, through the axial bore, through the flow port, and through the space between the shaft and the grease tube to the other flow port and axial bore. A sealed reservoir is disposed on each side and through each bearing and this grease seal reservoir is defined by a back seal and a front seal. At least one small orifice is disposed in each of the first annular seal members and leads from the grease supply passageway to the grease seal reservoir for permitting grease under pressure in the grease supply passageway to enter the grease seal reservoir whereby grease flows from the supply passageway, through the orifices, through the bearings and the flowing grease pushes used grease out the front seal as it fills the grease seal reservoir with new grease.