Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An apparatus for holding radioactive objects, comprising:a base;a central pillar extending upwardly between a bottom end coupled to the base and a top end above the base;a plurality of inner segments spaced around the central pillar; anda plurality of outer segments spaced around the inner segments to form pairs,wherein the inner segments, the outer segments and the central pillar are coupled together to permit limited radial movement of at least one of the segments of each pair,wherein each pair defines a generally vertical, object-receiving channel arranged between the inner and outer segment of the pair,wherein the segments of each pair are adapted to bear against an object in the channel of the pair to laterally restrain the object and facilitate heat transfer from the object, andwherein the channels are connected by a first annular space that extends around the central pillar between the inner segments and the outer segments. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the inner segments is adapted to move generally radially with respect to the central pillar. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising at least one fastening element coupling each of the inner segments with the central pillar. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one fastening element is received in a bore formed in the inner segment. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the inner segments comprises a drainage conduit extending between top and bottom surfaces of the inner segment, and the drainage conduit is in fluid communication with the bore. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the outer segments is adapted to move generally radially with respect to the central pillar. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising at least one fastening element coupling each of the outer segments with the respective one of the inner segments. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one fastening element is received in a bore formed in the outer segment. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the outer segments comprises a drainage conduit extending between top and bottom surfaces of the outer segment, and the drainage conduit is in communication with the bore. 10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the inner segments is biased outwardly with respect to the central pillar. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising at least one spring element arranged between each of the inner segments and the central pillar to bias the inner segments outwardly. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the outer segments is adapted to move generally radially with respect to the central pillar. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising at least one fastening element coupling each of the outer segments with the respective one of the inner segments. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one fastening element is received in a bore formed in the outer segment. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the outer segments comprises a drainage conduit extending between top and bottom surfaces of the outer segment, and the drainage conduit is in communication with the bore. 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the outer segments is biased outwardly with respect to the central pillar. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one spring element arranged between each of the outer segments and the respective one of the inner segments to bias the outer segment outwardly. 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the channels comprises a beveled top opening to facilitate loading of the objects into the channels. 19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second annular space that extends around the central pillar between the central pillar and the inner segments. 20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a radial gap extending between each of the pairs of segments and an adjacent pair. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of the outer segments comprises chamfered side faces, so that the radial gap extends radially outwardly into a generally triangular passage. 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central pillar comprises a drainage passage extending between the top and bottom ends. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the central pillar comprises a plurality of drainage ports extending generally radially between the drainage passage and an outer surface adjacent to the inner segments. 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the top end of the central pillar is adapted for attachment to a handling tool. 25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:each of the inner segments is adapted to move generally radially with respect to the central pillar;each of the inner segments is biased outwardly with respect to the central pillar;each of the outer segments is adapted to move generally radially with respect to the central pillar;each of the outer segments is biased outwardly with respect to the central pillar; andfurther comprisingat least one first spring element arranged between each of the inner segments and the central pillar to bias the inner segments outwardly, andat least one second spring element arranged between each of the outer segments and the respective one of the inner segments to bias the outer segment outwardly.