Sealed rolling bearing with a flow reducing grease passage

A rolling bearing apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of rolling elements;
• at least one annular retainer means for positioning and holding said rolling elements equidistant from each other and circumferentially;
• an inner and an outer annular race between which said at least one retainer and said plurality of rolling elements are positioned;
• at least one seal plate secured to an end of the outer race;
• said at least one retainer means including an annular portion at one end thereof having an inner and an outer circumferential surface, an end face opposite said seal plate and an annular projection extending radially from the inner circumferential surface into a space between said annular portion of the retainer means and inner race to form an annular small gap between the projection and the inner race, said projection having an inclined surface extending from said end face opposite said seal plate in a direction away from said seal plate;
• and
• said seal plate including a portion which confronts the inclined surface of said projection and which defines another inclined surface oriented in the same direction as the inclined surface of the projection to form between both inclined surfaces a lubrication induction passage in communication with said small gap.