Flanged cam follower

A cam follower comprising:

• a shaft extending from a first axial shaft end to a second axial shaft end, the second axial shaft end comprising a fastener adapted to attach said shaft to another component;
• a hub defining an interior area with at least one bearing disposed therein, the at least one bearing being disposed over the first axial shaft end such that said hub is rotatable with respect to said shaft via the at least one bearing, said hub being formed from a metal material and further defining a generally cylindrical outer peripheral surface having protrusions, recesses or both protrusions and recesses formed thereon;
• a flanged tire affixed to the outer peripheral surface of said hub and rotatable with said hub with respect to said shaft, said flanged tire having a main body portion with a generally cylindrical outer surface with a main body diameter and having a flange portion extending radially outwardly from the generally cylindrical outer surface of the main body portion, the flange portion having a flange diameter that is larger than the main body diameter;
• wherein the main body portion and the flange portion are integrally formed from a monolithic piece of polymeric material;
• wherein said hub, the main body portion and the flange portion are disposed so as to define a generally planar outer surface facing the second axial shaft end;
• and
• a flange support plate having a support plate outer diameter that is generally equal to or greater than the flange diameter, said flange support plate abutting the generally planar outer surface and being rigidly affixed to said hub by a plurality of threaded fasteners passing through holes in said flange support plate and engaging threaded openings in said hub, said flange support plate including an opening passing therethrough having an inner support plate diameter, wherein the opening passing through said flange support plate is sized and positioned to accommodate said shaft, said flange support plate being formed from a metal material, thereby providing structural support to the flange portion for forces applied to the flange portion in a direction normal to the generally planar outer surface.