Webbed Cable Catapult System

Abstract

Various systems affiliated with launching a projectile of interest are disclosed. More specifically, the systems are directed to web cable catapult systems for launching the projectile. In a web cable catapult system for launching a projectile, the system includes a moveable pulling element; and a web cable network comprising a plurality of interconnected flexible cables. The system can include support elements to anchor the web cable network. Preferably, when the pulling element is in a launch position, the web cable network tightens such that the middle section of each flexible cable of the web cable network forms a V-shaped vertex.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A web cable catapult system for launching a projectile, the system comprising:
 a moveable pulling element; and,   a web cable network comprising a plurality of interconnected flexible cables, the web cable network comprising:   a. at least three flexible cable pairs connected in sequence, hereinafter referred to as a first flexible pulling cable pair, at least one middle flexible cable pair and a last flexible cable pair; and   b. a flexible launch cable configured to connect to a projectile, the flexible launch cable comprises a right end, a left end and a middle section between the right end and left end;   each flexible cable of the flexible cable pairs comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle section between the proximal end and the distal end;   the first flexible pulling cable pair comprising a right first flexible pulling cable and a left first flexible pulling cable, the proximal ends of the first flexible pulling cable pair attachable to the pulling element, and the distal ends of the first flexible pulling cable pair attachable to a first support element;   the at least one middle flexible cable pair comprising a right first middle flexible cable and a left first middle flexible cable pair, the middle section of the right first flexible pulling cable attachable to the proximal end of the right first middle flexible cable, and the distal end of the right first middle flexible cable attachable to a second support element;   the last flexible cable pair comprising a right last flexible cable and a left last flexible cable, the middle section of the right first middle flexible cable attachable to the proximal end of the right last flexible cable, the distal end of the right last flexible cable attachable to a third support element;   the middle section of the left first flexible pulling cable attachable to the proximal end of the left first middle flexible cable, and the distal end of the left first middle flexible cable attachable to a fourth support element;   the middle section of the left first middle flexible cable attachable to the proximal end of the left last flexible cable, and the distal end of the left last flexible cable attachable to a fifth support element;   the right end of the flexible launch cable attachable to the middle section of the right last flexible cable, and the left end of the flexible launch cable attachable to the middle section of the left last flexible cable;   wherein the support elements anchor the web cable network;   whereby, when the pulling element is in a launch position, the web cable network tightens such that the middle section of each flexible cable of the three flexible cable pairs and the flexible launch cable form a V-shaped vertex.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible launch cable further comprises a launching device, the launching device comprising securing means to hold and release the projectile during launch. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the launching device is connected to the middle section of the flexible launch cable. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one middle flexible cable pair further comprises a second middle flexible cable pair connected between the first middle flexible cable pair and the last flexible cable pair, the second middle cable pair comprising a right second middle flexible cable and a left second middle flexible cable pair. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the middle sections of the flexible cable pairs and the flexible launch cable are configured to simultaneously form the V-shaped vertex when in the launch position. 
     
     
         6 . A method of launching a projectile, comprising the system of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 drawing the launch cable into the launch position from a release position via the moveable pulling element, thereby tightening the at least three flexible cable pairs and the flexible launch cable simultaneously; and   adjusting a tension on each of the cables to achieve a predetermined desired speed ratio.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein adjusting the tension on each of the cables comprises simultaneously adjusting the angle of each V-shaped vertex. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising loading the projectile onto the flexible launch cable after the adjusting step. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one middle flexible cable pair further comprises a second middle flexible cable pair connected between the first middle flexible cable pair and the last flexible cable pair, the second middle cable pair comprising a right second middle flexible cable and a left second middle flexible cable pair. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein adjusting the tension on each of the cables comprises simultaneously adjusting the angle of each V-shaped vertex.