Turntable for microwave oven

Claim 1

A turntable adapted for being positioned in a microwave oven to provide substantially uniform food heating by rotation thereof, comprising: a microwave transparent platform for supporting food, said platform having a shaft extending downwardly from the middle of the underside thereof; means for rotating said platform about the axis of said shaft, said rotating means comprising a coil spring and a braking mechanism positioned in substantially the same horizontal plane thereby minimizing the vertical height of said rotating means; means for shielding said rotating means from microwave energy, said shielding means comprising a metal pan having a metal cover with an aperture therein, said cover extending outwardly from the side wall of said pan to form a lip, said lip extending outwardly for a distance and then downwardly forming a channel to provide a low microwave field region between said side of said pan and the downward region of said lip, said lip further having an annular trough; spherical bearings positioned in said trough; an annular keeper positioned over said trough for maintaining substantially equal spacings between said bearings; said platform being supported by said bearings; and said shaft extending through said aperture for coupling to said rotating means.