Abstract:
A phonograph turntable slip mat ( 200 ) includes a circular surface ( 201 ) extending around the perimeter of the mat for supporting a phonograph record. A recessed section ( 203 ) is located within the circular surface and extends below the circular surface ( 203 ) for contacting the surface of a turntable platter ( 204 ). The invention exhibits less friction and surface resistance when in contact with the turntable platter ( 204 ), providing superior performance when compared with conventional slip mats.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to phonograph turntables and, more particularly, to slip mats used with a phonograph turntable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Phonograph slip mats are known in the art and are essentially circular pieces of slippery cloth or synthetic material that are designed to allow disc jockeys (DJs) to manipulate a vinyl phonograph record on a phonograph turntable independently of the platter. The slip mat is positioned directly between the record and the deck platter. The slip mat reduces friction, allowing the platter to continue to turn underneath the record. When in operation, the user can hold a record in a fixed postion for “slip-cueing.” When slip-cueing at the moment the user wishes to start playing the record, the turntable continues to rotate underneath the record. Thus, the record does not need to rotate up to speed as it has always been rotating underneath the record. Slip-cueing is used by DJs for beatmatching when trying to start a record with the bass beats playing simultaneously with another record. Secondly, “back spinning” is used by DJs who pull a record back and forth to make a scratching sound on the record. A back spin involves spinning the record to retard, arrest, or reverse the linear motion of the record. Slip mats used in the prior art often prevent the platter from being pulled both in forward and reverse direction. This creates too much weight and inertia to back spin the record in a proper manner which can create undesired distortion. 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a typical slip mat  100  as used in the prior art which is a flat disc  101  which sits upon the platter  103  of the turntable  105 . The flat disc  101  includes a cutout area  107  which fits over the record centering peg  109 . The centering peg  109  is positioned substantially at the center of the cutout area  107 . This type of slip mat is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0093777 to Handley et al., which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. A common problem with the typical slip mat is that has a high amount of friction between record and turntable platter. This results in problems with both beat-matching and back spin. Thus, a new slip mat is needed that will provide very low friction with the platter enabling a DJ to provide more precise control to make better customized sounds with the turntable and phonograph record. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0004]    The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a slip mat as used in the prior art. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is perspective of view of the elevated turntable slip mat as used in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is side view of the invention as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0008]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to the elevated turntable slip mat. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
         [0010]    In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,”“comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
         [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the low-friction turntable slip mat  200  in accordance with the invention. The slip mat  200  is substantially circular in shape and includes a flat top surface  201  which contacts the phonograph record (not shown) on the bottom surface of the record. The flat top surface  201  is sized to be approximately the same size as a 33 revolutions-per-minute (RPM) phonograph record. As seen in both  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the inner radius of the slip mat  200  includes a recessed section  203  that extends below the flat surface  201  to contact the surface of the phonograph platter  204 . The recessed section  203  includes an aperture  202  for use with a centering peg. The recessed section  203  is specifically sized in order to provide substantially low friction between the recessed section  203  and the phonograph platter  204 . In order to facilitate easy slippage between recessed section  203  and the platter  204 , the slip mat  200  may typically be made from metal or plastic materials having a smooth surface. In order to provide a decorative appearance, a side  211  of the flat top surface  201  may include one or more illumination devices  213  such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like which act to better show the spinning motion of the slip mat  200  when in use. The illumination devices  213  are powered by a battery source  215  which may be fastened to the underside of the top surface  201  using a battery holder or other fastening mechanism. 
         [0012]    In operation, a first flat washer  205  is positioned over the record centering peg  209  onto the platter  204 . Next, the slip mat  200  is positioned over the centering peg  209  and then a second flat washer  207  is positioned over the centering peg  209  on the slip mat  200 . A friction clamp such as one or more split lock washers  211 ,  212  are then positioned on the centering peg  209  over the second flat washer  207  to hold the low-friction turntable slip mat assembly in place. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, the slip mat  200  enables a DJ to have precise control over a phonograph record when slip-cueing and/or back spinning the record. Since the recessed section  203  provides less friction and resistance when in contact with the turntable platter  204 , the invention provides superior performance when compared with conventional slip mats used in the prior art. 
         [0013]    In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.