Mechanical sports ball catapult system

Abstract

The sports ball catapult driven by mechanical means disclosed herein may comprise a main body, an arming mechanism, a drive mechanism, a cradle mechanism, and a firing mechanism. The system is designed to operate by purely mechanical means and without power, and is launch speed and launch angle adjustable. The action of the system is such that the arming mechanism may be engaged by a user to apply tension on the cradle mechanism and drive mechanism. The user may then place a ball into the cradle mechanism, and may launch the ball from the system by engaging the firing mechanism. The engaging of the firing mechanism releases the tension in the system, causing the cradle mechanism to accelerate the ball into the air. The entire system is contained within the main body, which is designed to provide an easily moveable, lightweight, and low maintenance solution for achieving such a purpose.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A mechanical sports ball catapult system, comprising:
 a structural main body;   a cocking mechanism;   a cradle mechanism;   a drive mechanism;   an electronic trigger; and   an electro-mechanical firing mechanism;   wherein said cocking mechanism, said cradle mechanism, said drive mechanism, and said electro-mechanical firing mechanism are attached to said structural main body;   wherein said electronic trigger is wirelessly attached to said electro-mechanical firing mechanism;   wherein said electro-mechanical firing mechanism is physically attached to said cocking mechanism;   wherein said cocking mechanism is reversibly attached to said cradle mechanism; and   wherein said cradle mechanism is physically attached to said drive mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The catapult system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein said electro-mechanical firing mechanism comprises a solenoid;   wherein said cocking mechanism comprises a latch;   wherein said solenoid of said electro-mechanical firing mechanism moves in response to an electronic signal from said electronic trigger; and   wherein said movement of said solenoid of said electro-mechanical firing mechanism opens said latch of said cocking mechanism.   
     
     
         3 . The catapult system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said cradle mechanism further comprises a tension loop;   wherein said tension loop of said cradle mechanism is reversibly attached to said latch of said cocking mechanism.   
     
     
         4 . The catapult system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a plurality of wheels;   wherein said plurality of wheels comprise a plurality of casters.