Patent ID: 8561261

Claim:
A needle bearing hinge assembly, comprising: a cylindrical assembly having at least one freely rotating outer surface; at least one radial needle bearing supporting and concentrically enclosed within said cylindrical assembly; said needle bearing mounted about a central shaft having a first end cap, and second end cap, said end caps securing said at least one rotating outer surface and needle roller bearing therebetween and along said shaft, wherein said first and second end caps are positioned at opposing ends of said rotating outer surface and said central shaft, and each of said end caps has an outer surface in linear alignment with said rotating outer surface; said needle bearings allowing relative rotation between said outer rotating surface and said central shaft; said central shaft having a lubrication conduit therethrough leading from a grease fitting on said first end cap, said conduit branching radially towards each of said needle roller bearing for communicating lubricant from said grease fitting to said roller bearing, and wherein said conduit does not extend through said rotating outer surface.