Patent ID: 7232489

Claim:
An apparatus for holding a crucible or other item comprising: a first support member having a straight portion with two ends; a second support member having a shaped portion coupled to one of the ends of the first support member, wherein the shape of the shaped portion accommodates the crucible or other item; a support material covering the second support member, the support material having a coefficient of compression, wherein the support material increases the coefficient of friction between the crucible or other item and the second support member; a spring coupled to the other end of the first support member; a third support member coupled to the spring and configured so as to apply a force to the crucible or other item when the crucible or other item is placed in the shaped portion of the second support member, wherein the third support member can be moved by exerting a force opposite to that applied by the spring so as to allow the crucible or other item to be placed in the shaped portion of the second support member, and wherein the force applied by the spring is coordinated with the coefficient of compression of the support material and the material strength of the crucible or other item so as to decrease the risk of slippage and to decrease the risk of breakage of the crucible or other item.