Device for the acceleration of bodies, especially a mobile catapult for flying bodies

Abstract From the Canadian patent

For acceleration of bodies along a track a traction, rope was wound onto a drum at the end of the track. During disengagement, the rope and the vicinity within range of the rotating rope were liable to suffer damage. The device according to the invention serves in particular for the catapult-launching of flying bodies. A winding drum driven by hydraulic motors is arranged below the point of maximum track velocity of the flying body and moves the latter along the longitudinal track until it reaches lift-off velocity. A flat traction ribbon connected to a carriage causes the winding drum to reverse its sense of rotation, so that the carriage is braked along a short stretch. The device can be …