Method for retaining the configuration of an aperture formed through a coil

A method of retaining the configuration of an aperture formed through a coil when said coil is supported on a saddle having a pair of spaced apart upstanding legs by using an apparatus having a first member and a second member, said second member having a length sufficient to extend beyond opposite sides of said coil when said aperture lies in a horizontal plane, a pair of arms pivotably attached to said first member and means for joining said pair of arms to said second member, said means enabling said arms to move between a first position in which said arms are spaced apart from the perimeter of said aperture when said second member is not in contact with said saddle and a second position in which said arms cooperate with said first member to support said coil when said second member is in contact with said saddle, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) positioning a lifting mechanism into said apparatus and moving said apparatus into alignment with an aperture formed in a coil;
• (b) inserting said apparatus into said aperture with said arms being in their first position;
• (c) positioning said coil on said saddle with said second member spanning said pair of upstanding legs and lowering said coil to cause said second member to contact said pair of legs and move said arms to said second position;
• and
• (d) removing said lifting mechanism from said aperture.