GB1329700A - Dart-shooting catapult - Google Patents

Abstract

1329700 Darts etc; shooting catapults G V SMITH 7 Dec 1970 [8 Dec 1969] 59789/69 Heading A6S A catapult adapted for the shooting of arrows, quarrels, bolts and darts is characterised by the provision of a dart-supporting pillar portion P (Fig. 2) in combination with the stock S of the catapult, on which pillarportion is located a dart-rest AG, having a feather slot FS, and depending from the pillar portion a downward sloping guide portion G for intercepting and engaging the pouch P' so as to guide the pouch over the dart-rest during the forward travel of the pouch and its attached propellant cords PC in propulsion of the dart; and also serving to guide the pouch and propellant cords between the forks F of the stock as part of their forward motion. In Fig. 2 the, pillar and guide portions are of wood, but Fig. 3 (not shown) illustrates a catapult in which these portions are formed of metal tubing. The catapult of Fig. 11 has a pillar portion and a guide portion integrally formed of wire so as to comprise an integrated pillar-guide sloping to the rear; this enables the use of a dart as having a much shorter shaft than is the case where the pillar-portion is upright as in Fig. 2, and the use of a wire pillar guide also enables a dart having special fletching to be shot. As shown, the cock feather CF (Fig. 4A) is on top instead of being in the underneath position. The pillar portion and guide portion of the catapult may form a single unit readily detachable from the stock. In a modification, the propellant cords and pouch are replaced by a single elastic band or cord having its ends affixed to the forks of the stock. Where a catapult having the usual pouch P', is used, the dart as (Fig. 4) is preferably fitted with a specially-shaped Nock-end N having convex protuberances on either side of a shallow rear rib Rb.