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

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.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus comprising:
 a ring having an inner bottom edge, an outer bottom edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and a bearing race disposed within the bottom surface, wherein:
 the ring defines a form of a hoop, the hoop having an open central region; and 
 the inner bottom edge and the outer bottom edge are separated from one another by a gap; 
   at least three rolling elements disposed with the bearing race, wherein each of the at least three rolling elements comprises a center and a diameter, and wherein the gap is narrower than the diameters, and wherein the bottom edges extend below the centers; and   a grip coating disposed on the top surface.   
     
     
         22 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the at least three rolling elements are spherical. 
     
     
         23 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the ring further comprises a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         24 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the ring further comprises a generally circular cross-section. 
     
     
         25 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the ring further comprises a generally triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         26 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the top surface is narrower than said bottom surface. 
     
     
         27 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the top surface is wider than the bottom surface. 
     
     
         28 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the bearing race comprises a maximum width, and wherein the gap is narrower than the maximum width. 
     
     
         29 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the maximum width is dimensioned to confinedly receive the at least three rolling elements. 
     
     
         30 . A platter support apparatus comprising:
 a ring having a top surface, a bottom surface and a bearing race disposed within the bottom surface, wherein:
 the ring defines a form of a hoop, the hoop having an open central region; and 
 the ring comprises a cross-section selected from the group consisting of generally triangular cross-sections and generally rectangular cross-sections; 
   a plurality of rolling elements; and   a grip coating disposed on the top surface.   
     
     
         31 . The platter support apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein each roller element of the plurality of roller elements has a substantially identical diameter, and wherein the bottom surface comprises an inner lip and an outer lip, and wherein the inner lip and the outer lip are each distally disposed from the top surface, and wherein the lips are disposed a distance apart from each other, and wherein the distance apart is less than the diameter. 
     
     
         32 . The platter support apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein each of the roller elements comprises a center, and wherein the lips extend below the centers of the roller elements, and wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of rolling elements extends outside of the bearing race. 
     
     
         33 . The platter support apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of rolling elements comprises rolling elements selected form the group consisting of cylindrical rolling elements, elliptical rolling elements, spherical rolling elements, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of rolling elements comprises generally spherical rolling elements.