Methods and apparatus to hold a stack of discs

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to hold a stack of discs are disclosed. An illustrated example disc stack holder is used to hold, move and/or store a stack of annular aircraft brake discs.

1 . An apparatus to hold discs, comprising:
 a top member;   connectors extending from the top member;   a plate positioning member extending from the top member; and   a movable plate having a releasable clamp to engage the plate positioning member, and a selectively operable compression device to displace the movable plate to a compressive position.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a guide associated with the plate positioning member. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the guide is generally funnel shaped. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the guide is structured to direct the plate positioning member into engagement with a stanchion. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the stanchion extends from a transport assembly. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the top member is at a first end of the apparatus and the connectors extend to a second end of the apparatus, and the releasable clamp may engage the plate positioning member between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the plate positioning member extends to proximate the second end and has an associated guide proximate the second end. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the selectively operable compression device is connected with the releasable clamp. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the selectively operable compression device includes at least one toggle operated clamp having a rod extending to the movable plate. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the movable plate defines a plurality of openings, the connectors and plate positioning member extending through respective ones of the openings. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of discs mounted about the connectors between the movable plate and a lower end of the apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the connectors includes a foot extending from the connector at a lower end of the apparatus, the at least one of the connectors being rotatable to vary the angular position of the foot. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of discs compressed between the movable plate and the foot of the at least one of the connectors. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising an end plate engaged by the foot of the at least one of the connectors. 
     
     
         15 . A method to hold a stack of discs, comprising:
 inserting a disc stack holder through central apertures in the discs;   engaging the disc stack holder with a lower end of the stack of discs; and   displacing a movable plate of the disc stack holder to a position adjacent a disc at an upper end of the stack of discs to substantially prevent movement of the discs relative to the disc stack holder.   
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising compressing the stack of discs between the movable plate and the lower end of the stack of discs. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein compressing includes operating a toggle clamp to displace the movable plate against the stack of discs. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , farther comprising stacking the discs with spacers located between adjacent discs. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising guiding the disc stack holder to a predetermined location on a transport assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the transport assembly includes an extension to mate with a positioning member of the disc stack holder. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising an end plate at the lower end of the stack of discs, the disc stack holder engaging the end plate. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the discs are carbon-carbon composite discs.