Giant Rubber Band Catapult System v1
Giant Rubber Band Catapult System
Concept
A 50-foot industrial rubber band stretched between two rock formations, used as a slingshot to launch the operator toward a moving target on a road below.
Components
- Rubber band - ACME SuperStretch Model 12, rated for 500 lbs of tension
- Anchor points - Two mesa formations, approximately 60 feet apart
- Launch cradle - Wooden seat attached to band center
- Aiming system - Operator points themselves in the desired direction
Launch Procedure
- Attach band to both anchor points
- Operator sits in launch cradle
- Two assistants (not available) or one operator pulls band back using legs against anchor rock
- Release
Ballistic Calculations
- Launch angle: 35 degrees
- Estimated velocity at release: 180 mph
- Estimated landing zone: 400 ft radius (theoretical)
- Actual landing zone: unknown, varies significantly
Safety Notes
The band may snap back toward the operator if tension is uneven. In 3 of 7 tests, the operator was launched backward into the adjacent cliff face.