# US 5,702,079 A · Bat media support frame apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,702,079 A - Document ID: US5702079A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/476,696 - Filed: 1995-06-07 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1995-06-07 - Assignees: Jet, Inc. - Inventors: David S. MacLaren - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5702079A ## CPC - C02F 3/101: {Arranged-type packing, e.g. stacks, arrays} - Y02W 10/10: Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract An apparatus and method for cleaning, inspecting and maintaining media disposed within a biological aeration treatment media support frame. The apparatus consists of a frame connected to legs, x shaped cross-members, lifting hooks, lock bar supports and lock bars. The x shaped cross-members are mounted to the sides and bottom of the frame for the support of media as well as contributing to the strength of the frame thus protecting it from external forces. The lifting hooks permit the operator of the biological aeration treatment support frame to remove the frame in an effortless manner when cleaning, maintaining and inspecting the media. The lock bars are supported by the lock bar supports, which, in turn, maintain the media within the frame hence not allowing the media to float around in the wastewater treatment compartment. The lock bar support handle can also be used as a lifting hook. The lock bars are swivel mounted on the lock bar support to allow easy access to the media. This access will allow the operator to easily remove the media from the frame for cleaning, maintaining or inspecting the media when the removal of the entire apparatus is not required. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for supporting biofilm media, comprising: (a) a first frame comprising rigidly connected members assembled in a shape having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides having upper members which define the top of the first frame, the plurality of sides further comprise first sides and ends, the upper members of the ends being at a higher level than the upper members of the first sides; (b) the bottom and the plurality of sides being reinforced with cross-members so that sheet media may be introduced to the first frame and held within the first frame by the cross-members; (c) legs extending downward from the bottom of the first frame; and (d) a movable restraining device having a first end and a second end and connected to the frame at the first end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the members are selected from the group consisting of rods and pipes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross-members are members arranged in an X-shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frame members are rigidly connected by coupling devices selected from the group consisting of elbow connectors and tee connectors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the movable restraining device makes a removable locking connection with the first frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the legs terminate in feet at a point on the legs furthest from the bottom of the first frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the feet are tee connectors attached to the bottom of the legs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second frame removably connected to the first frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a snap lock connecting the first frame to the second frame. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first frame further comprises a graspable implement connected to an upper member of an end of the first frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movable restraining device makes a swivel connection with the first frame at the first end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the swivel connection is a hinge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the hinge is a sleeve slidingly attached to the first frame and rigidly attached to the movable restraint device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first frame further comprises a lock bar support attached to the upper member of an end of the first frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second end of the movable restraining device makes a removable locking connection with the lock bar support. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the swivel connection is made at the lock bar support. ### Claim 17 An apparatus for supporting biofilm media, comprising: (a) a first frame comprising rigidly connected members assembled in a shape having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides; (b) legs extending downward from the bottom of the first frame; (c) cross-members reinforcing the bottom and the plurality of sides such that sheet media may be introduced to the first frame and held within the first frame by the cross-members; (d) a graspable implement connected to the top of the first frame; (e) a movable restraining device having a first end and a second end and making a swivel connection with the first frame at the first end; and (f) a lock bar support attached to the upper member of an end of the first frame, wherein the swivel connection is made at the lock bar support and the second end of the movable restraining device makes a removable locking connection with the first frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the members are selected from the group consisting of rods and pipes. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the cross-members are members arranged in an X-shape. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first frame members are rigidly connected by coupling devices selected from the group consisting of elbow connectors and tee connectors. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the legs terminate in feet at a point on the legs furthest from the bottom of the first frame. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the feet are tee connectors attached to the bottom of the legs. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of sides of the first frame has an upper member. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the upper members in combination define the top of the first frame. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the plurality of sides comprise first sides and ends, the upper members of the ends being at a level higher than the upper members of the first sides. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the swivel connection is a hinge. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the hinge is a sleeve slidingly attached to the first frame and rigidly attached to the movable restraint device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a second frame removably connected to the first frame. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a snap lock connecting the first frame to the second frame.