An Improved Sounding Apparatus."
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Oct., 1897-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
"An Improved Sounding Apparatus."
I, DETLEF PETER MUMM, of Mokihinui, in the Colony of New Zealand, Master
Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
This invention relates to apparatus or "leads" used for taking soundings at
sea or in other water and the object of the invention is to provide a simple and
compact instrument whereby soundings may be accurately and readily taken and
samples of the bed of the sea or other water obtained in a reliable manner.
In constructing a sounding apparatus in accordance with this invention, the
parts consist principally of a weight, socket and buckets. The weight is prefer-
ably hollowed out at the top to receive an ordinary sounding lead, which may be
bored to receive a pin for the purpose of fastening the two parts together. The
lower part of the weight is made to fit freely into the socket, so that these two
parts may slide easily one upon the other.
•
A friction spring normally holds the socket extended upon the weight, but
when the weight driven home, by the socket touching some external object, the
spring engages in a recess to hold the parts closed together.
Near the bottom of the socket buckets are pivoted and links connect the buckets
to the weight. The shape of the buckets is preferably a segment of a sphere, so
that when they are closed they form a half sphere and close the mouth of the
socket.
Vent holes are provided for the escape of the water confined between the weight
and the buckets.
In using the apparatus the same is lowered until the bottom is reached, when
the socket will strike the bed of the water. The weight is thus liberated by the
impact and descending closes the buckets, which with their sharp edges will cut
into the bed and enclose a sample within the socket, the water escaping through
holes in the side of the socket, and the apparatus being kept closed by the spring
catch.
In order that my invention may be most easily understood reference will be
made to the accompanying drawing whilst giving a description in detail.
Figure 1 is a section of the apparatus when open and ready for lowering..
Figure 2 is a section of the same closed.
Figure is a cross section on line A-B, Figure 1.
Similar letters refer to similar parts.
Referring to the drawing, the weight (") is hollow at (a¹) to receive an ordinary
sounding lead, which is held in position by a pin or set screw (a2). The lower
part of the weight (a) fits freely within the socket (b) and may easily slide therein.
The friction spring (6) may hold the socket (b) extended upon the weight (a) by
engaging in the lower recess (a³) as shewn on Figure 1, or when the weight is driven
home by the socket touching some external object, the said spring is released from
the lower recess (a³) and sliding in groove (a4) may engage in the upper recess (5)
to hold the parts closed together.

page_text: Near the bottom of and to the socket (b), buckets (c) are pivoted by pin (e¹),
and links (2) connect the said buckets to the weight (a).
In using the apparatus the same is lowered until the bottom of the sea or the
like is reached and if the bottom is rocky or of a hard nature the pegs (62) will
strike the bottom, and keep the socket raised as shewn on the drawings and allow
the buckets to close on ground which would be too hard to be cut by their sharp
edges (2), and at the same time bring up any deposit or growth which may be
upon such rocky bottom.
When, however, the bottom is sandy or soft, the pegs (62) will sink therein until
the socket (6) rests upon the bottom when the buckets will cut into the deposit
and a sample be obtained. The water confined within the socket and below the
weight (a) will be expelled as the said weight descends and pass out by the grooves
(a), but when the weight rests upon the upper rim (6%) of the socket the said
grooves will be closed to prevent water entering therein and disturbing the con-
tents of the buckets.
The recesses (a³ and a³) are so shaped that a sharp instrument or nail may be
inserted at (a) to release the spring and set the apparatus.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact details
hereinbefore set forth as these may be modified by a skilled person without de-
parting from the principle of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,―
1. In a sounding apparatus, in combination, a weight sliding within a socket
and having buckets attached thereto by links which buckets are pivoted to the
socket and will close by the fall of the weight when the socket touches the bottom
of the sea or the like, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
2. In a sounding apparatus, in combination, a weight sliding within a socket
and retained in position by a spring and having buckets attached thereto by links,
which buckets are pivoted to the socket and will close by the fall of the weight
when the socket touches the bottom of the sea or the like, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth herein.
3. In a sounding apparatus, in combination, a weight sliding within a socket
having pegs to keep the same raised from a rocky bottom and said weight having
buckets attached thereto by links, which buckets are pivoted to the socket and
will close by the fall of the weight when the socket touches the bottom, of the sea
or the like, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
4. In a sounding apparatus, in combination, a weight sliding within a socket
and retained in position by a spring said socket having pegs to keep the same
raised from a rocky bottom, said weight having buckets attached thereto by links,
which buckets are pivoted to the socket and will close by the fall of the weight
when the socket touches the bottom of the sea or the like, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth herein.
5. In a sounding apparatus, in combination, a weight sliding within a socket
and grooved for the escape of water from the interior of the apparatus said weight
having buckets attached thereto by links, which buckets are pivoted to the socket
and will close by the fall of the weight when the socket touches the bottom of
the sea or the like, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
6. In a sounding apparatus, in combination, a weight sliding within a socket
and grooved for the escape of water from the interior of the apparatus said socket
being retained in position by a spring and said weight having buckets attached
thereto by links, which buckets are pivoted to the socket and will close by the fall
of the weight when the socket touches the bottom of the sea or the like, substan-
tially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
7. In a sounding apparatus, in combination, a weight sliding within a socket
and grooved for the escape of water from the interior of the apparatus said socket

page_text: having pegs to keep the same raised from a rocky bottom and said weight having
buckets attached thereto by links, which buckets are pivoted to the socket and
will close by the fall of the weight when the socket touches the bottom of the sea
or the like, substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein.
8. In a sounding apparatus, in combination, a weight sliding within a socket
and grooved for the escape of water from the interior of the apparatus said socket
being retained in position by a spring and having pegs to keep the same raised
from a rocky bottom and said weight having buckets attached thereto by links,
which buckets are pivoted to the socket and will close by the fall of the weight
when the socket touches the bottom of the sea or the like, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth herein.
9. The sounding apparatus consisting of parts constructed, arranged, and opera-
ting substantially as and for the purposes set forth herein and as illustrated on
the accompanying drawing.