Lubricated hinge pin

A lubricated hinge pin having a hollow cylindrical body forming a grease reservoir. A plurality of ports are provided through the cylindrical body to lubricate an object pivotally attached to the pin. A grease fitting is provided at one end of the pin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to hinges and more particularly, to hinge pins 
having grease ports. 
2. Summary of the Prior Art 
Hinges are commonplace to attach doors to vehicles, trailers, and buildings 
and to attach many other objects for pivotal movement. In many 
environments hinges are exposed to numerous adverse conditions, such as 
moisture, dust, dirt, and other substances. As a result of such adverse 
service, hinges are subject to freeze-up, rust, and undue wear. 
Lubricants, such as grease, are effective agents in increasing the 
lifetime of the effectiveness of a hinge. It is therefore desirable to 
provide an improved lubricated hinge capable of preventing rust and 
freezeup. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide an improved 
lubricated hinge pin capable of withstanding adverse conditions. The hinge 
pin of the invention includes a hollow shaft for receiving a lubricating 
grease and the like. A grease fitting is provided to supply grease to the 
hinge pin. A plurality of grease parts extend through the pin and supply 
grease to the attached object, usually one or more rotating knuckles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated the lubricated hinge 
pin of the invention, generally designated by reference numeral 2. The 
hinge pin includes a hollow cylindrical metal body 4 forming a grease 
reservoir 6 extending substantially along its length. A plurality of 
grease ports 8 are drilled diametrically through body 4 at 90.degree. 
angles at a plurality of locations along the pin as best seen in FIGS. 1 
and 2. Although four grease ports 8 are shown at each location, it is 
within the scope of the invention to employ other numbers of ports 8 
dependant on conditions and desired results. 
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 the upper internal end 10 of body 4 is threaded 
and receives a threaded hexagonal head bolt 12 or other bolt to act as a 
closure. The upper end can also be closed by a welded closure, a press fit 
rod and the like (not shown). The bottom end 14 of body 4 is also threaded 
and receives a threaded grease fitting having a sealable inlet for 
introducing grease 16 of conventional design, such as, for example, a Zirk 
fitting. Since the threaded hexagonal head bolt 12 can be removed and the 
threaded grease fitting 16 can be removed this results in removable 
closure means at both ends of the cylindrical body 4 for removal of grease 
therefrom readily by inserting a grease removing instrument through the 
entire extent of the cylindrical body 4. The pin 2 may pivotally support a 
plurality of cylindrical knuckles 20. The grease introduced into reservoir 
6 is applied at the pivotal contact between the exterior of pin body 4 and 
the interior of knuckles 20 as best seen in FIG. 4. The ports 8 are only 
provided in the pin 2 and not in the knuckles.