A launcher for an unmanned aircraft may comprise: a launch rail, a carriage, pair of pulley drivers, and a cable and pulley system. The pulley drivers may produce opposing pulley drive forces, which may be converted into a single launching force via the cable and pulley system for launching the carriage. The cable and pulley system may comprise: launch rail pulleys, pulley block pulleys, cam pulleys, drive cables, and one or more winches. Embodiments of the launcher may apply a constant force to the aircraft uniformly over the launch distance, such that the unmanned aircraft may be propelled within a relatively short distance by applying energy to the aircraft in the smallest period of time and without exceeding the aircraft's acceleration limits.

The invention has for object a mechanical target-launching machine comprising a loading system 1 and an actuator 3 which are disjointed from one another. The actuator 3 and the loading system 1 are connected to one another by a power transmission device 2. Said power transmission device 2 is a flexible element and preferably an arming cable 21. An energy accumulator 6 allows energy to be stored so that it can be released abruptly and allow the launching of a target 29.

The invention has for object a mechanical target-launching machine comprising a loading system 1 and an actuator 3 which are disjointed from one another. The actuator 3 and the loading system 1 are connected to one another by a power transmission device 2. Said power transmission device 2 is a flexible element and preferably an arming cable 21. An energy accumulator 6 allows energy to be stored so that it can be released abruptly and allow the launching of a target 29.

A game ball throwing machine utilizing a rotating arm to pitch a game ball, able to induce a variety of spins and types of pitches interchangeably. The ball thrower includes a base, a support frame attached to the base, rotating arm mechanism attached to the support frame, a source of power rotating the arm, ball holding means attached to the arm, and a human-machine interface which enables control of ball spin, release point, speed and target location. A novel software program integrates the throwing machine, indexing elements and one or more human-machine interface screens, calculating pitch parameters and converting them to machine outputs to enable customization of pitch variety and characteristics to the same or different locations rapidly with a high degree of accuracy, including means to simulate a known pitcher's unique pitch collection.

A game ball throwing machine utilizing a rotating arm to pitch a game ball, able to induce a variety of spins and types of pitches interchangeably. The ball thrower includes a base, a support frame attached to the base, rotating arm mechanism attached to the support frame, a source of power rotating the arm, ball holding means attached to the arm, and a human-machine interface which enables control of ball spin, release point, speed and target location. A novel software program integrates the throwing machine, indexing elements and one or more human-machine interface screens, calculating pitch parameters and converting them to machine outputs to enable customization of pitch variety and characteristics to the same or different locations rapidly with a high degree of accuracy, including means to simulate a known pitcher's unique pitch collection.

An automatic game ball throwing machine. The ball thrower includes a base, a support frame attached to the base, a drive wheel mechanism attached to the support frame, and a human-machine interface which enables customization of ball spin, speed and target location. A light source can be attached to the machine to illuminate each ball at one or more launch points. Further, a launching frame indexing element can be positioned to control the location of the ball target. A resident software program integrates the throwing machine, indexing element and human-machine interface, calculating pitch parameters and converting them to machine outputs to enable customization of pitch variety and characteristics.

The invention has for object a mechanical target-launching machine comprising a loading system 1 and an actuator 3 which are disjointed from one another. The actuator 3 and the loading system 1 are connected to one another by a power transmission device 2. Said power transmission device 2 is a flexible element and preferably an arming cable 21. An energy accumulator 6 allows energy to be stored so that it can be released abruptly and allow the launching of a target 29.

A hand held throwing apparatus and method includes of a U-shaped body with two sides and a bottom forming an open interior, the U-shaped body having an open front and an open back. A combination throwing-cocking arm with a first end and a second end is provided where the second end is rotatably connected with the U-shaped body in proximity to the open front in between the two sides. A spring is provided with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the spring is attached to the second end of the combination throwing-cocking arm and the second end of the spring is connected with the U-shaped body. A stop device is attached to the combination throwing-cocking arm between the first end and the second end and a handle is connected to the U-shaped body.

A hand held throwing apparatus and method includes of a U-shaped body with two sides and a bottom forming an open interior, the U-shaped body having an open front and an open back. A combination throwing-cocking arm with a first end and a second end is provided where the second end is rotatably connected with the U-shaped body in proximity to the open front in between the two sides. A spring is provided with a first end and a second end, where the first end of the spring is attached to the second end of the combination throwing-cocking arm and the second end of the spring is connected with the U-shaped body. A stop device is attached to the combination throwing-cocking arm between the first end and the second end and a handle is connected to the U-shaped body.