Slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus and method of use thereof

Abstract

A slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus and method of use thereof, wherein the platter support apparatus comprises a single ring having a U-shaped channel therewithin with bearings disposed within the channel, and wherein the channel opens to the bottom portion of the ring. The ring further comprises a gripping material on the surface of the ring opposite the bearing channel, thereby forming a top surface for securing a platter to the platter support apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus comprising:
 a ring having a top surface, a bottom surface and a bearing race disposed within said bottom surface;   at least three rolling elements disposed within said bearing race; and   a grip coating disposed on said top surface.   
     
     
         2 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three rolling elements are spherical. 
     
     
         3 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said ring further comprises an inner bottom edge and an outer bottom edge, and wherein each of said at least three rolling elements comprises a center, and wherein said bottom edges extend below said centers. 
     
     
         4 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said at least three rolling elements each comprises a diameter, and wherein said inner bottom edge and said outer bottom edge are separated from one another by a gap, and wherein said gap is narrower than said diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said ring further comprises a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said ring further comprises a generally circular cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said ring further comprises a generally triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         8 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said top surface is narrower than said bottom surface. 
     
     
         9 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said top surface is wider than said bottom surface. 
     
     
         10 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said bearing race comprises a maximum width, and wherein said bottom edges are separated from each other by a gap, and wherein said gap is narrower than said maximum width. 
     
     
         11 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said maximum width is dimensioned to confinedly receive said at least three rolling elements. 
     
     
         12 . A method of moving a platter, said method comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus comprising a ring having a top surface and a bottom surface, a bearing race disposed within said bottom surface, rolling elements, and a grip coating disposed on said top surface;   disposing said slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus on a flat surface;   disposing a platter on top of said slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus, wherein said platter is retained on said slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus by said grip coating, thereby forming a combination of said platter and said platter support apparatus; and   applying force to move said slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of applying force further comprises the step of:
 applying force generally perpendicular to an edge of said platter, wherein said force causes said combination to slide across the flat surface.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said step of applying force further comprises the step of:
 applying force generally tangentially to an edge of the platter, wherein said force causes the platter to rotate.   
     
     
         15 . A platter support apparatus comprising:
 a ring having a top surface, a bottom surface and a bearing race disposed within said bottom surface;   a plurality of rolling elements; and   a grip coating disposed on said top surface.   
     
     
         16 . The platter support apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said ring comprises a cross-section selected from the group consisting of generally circular cross-sections, generally triangular cross-sections and generally rectangular cross-sections. 
     
     
         17 . The platter support apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein each roller element of said plurality of roller elements has a substantially identical diameter, and wherein said bottom surface comprises an inner lip and an outer lip, and wherein said inner lip and said outer lip are each distally disposed from said top surface, and wherein said lips are disposed a distance apart from each other, and wherein said distance apart is less than said diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The platter support apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein each of said roller elements comprises a center, and wherein said lips extend below said centers of said roller elements, and wherein at least a portion of each of said plurality of rolling elements extends outside of said bearing race. 
     
     
         19 . The platter support apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of rolling elements comprises rolling elements selected from the group consisting of cylindrical rolling elements, elliptical rolling elements, spherical rolling elements, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of rolling elements comprises generally spherical rolling elements.