Annealing furnace base plate supports

In an annealing furance of the type comprising an outer enclosure surrounding an insulated heating chamber and wherein the bottom of said heating chamber comprises a metallic coil-carrying car mounting on its upper surface at least one base plate upon which a coil of metal to be anealed is located, said car having an electrical heating element above its upper surface and beneath said base plate, improved supports for said base plate on said upper surface of said car, each of said supports comprising at least one block of refractory material mounted on said upper surface of said car and upon which said base plate rests, said supports being so arranged on said upper surface of said car as to afford maximum support for said base plate whereby to prevent warping of said base plate and distortion of said coil thereon during an annealing cycle, said supports being of such height as to accommodate said heating element between said upper surface of said car and said base plate in spaced relationship to both and to permit circulation of an atmosphere about said heating element.