I am thinking of a wheel on on end and a long strand VERY FIRMLY attached to a platform on the other side. In the center of the strand the surface bulges out a little bit. That circular bulge is what you will jump on. A net will be placed aroung it for saftey. To test the principale of this idea, get a scotch tape dispenser (the kind that when you turn it upside down looks a little bit like a high-heeled shoe) and hold the tape wheel with one finger. Now move the other finger up and down while pulling the wheel to give it a spring effect. Another advantage of this idea is that the power for the wheel can be changed to make it firmer or looser for superman jumps.
-- croissantz, Dec 15 2004

?
-- DesertFox, Dec 16 2004


You'd have to use two wheels, otherwise you'll get a sideways pull. But, yeah.

Alternative explanation for the mechanism: Imagine a bunch of people holding a blanket tight. Imagine you're lying on the blanket. Now let them slack a bit, and then pull really quickly -- it'll throw you up in the air.

The idea is that, except in just one dimension rather than two (which would suffice to catapult you out), and with wheels pulling rather than people.
-- jutta, Dec 16 2004


Ohhhhhhh.....

I was wondering for a moment if croissantz really spoke English, or if he was really pretending.

+
-- DesertFox, Dec 16 2004


a pot-kettle scenario looms in to view
-- neilp, Dec 16 2004


bollocks
-- ConsulFlaminicus, Dec 16 2004


KER[+]BANG! Very cool. I don't see why it would only have to be one wheel, or only two.

I envisage a woven square, like those pot-holders ya used to make when you were a tyke - - each strap connected on either side to a wheel. Oh yeah, and the straps are made of rubber.

If that doesn't break some kid's neck, it's back to the drawing board.
-- contracts, Dec 16 2004


I like that tape got some credit. It works hard. I think this would be a good movie special effect. It would involve a rope hooked to a car bumper, which then speeds away. Before the rope pulls tight, the hero stands on it and then is catapulted up and over the wall. Maybe it would be better for a cartoon.
-- bungston, Dec 16 2004


Bouncing/catapulting people--YAY!!! [+]
-- Machiavelli, Dec 17 2004


This could enable NASA to have another crack at it after all.
-- Detly, Dec 17 2004


I'm just impressed that there's a category for "Sport: Bouncing"... I hadn't noticed that before. How cool.
-- zigness, Dec 17 2004


Woah, de ja voux ziggy. I never saw this idea and said the same thing 2 days later on the self-bouncing ball idea.

At the Michigan Rennaisance Festival there was a ride that was simply a few bungee cords and a strap-in seat, like rock-climbing gear. It was hooked up to a hanging pole-set rig such that the cords were suspended high enough to give you some mega bounce action without bottoming out. The operator would strap you in and hang on long enough to give you a boost, after which you shot up like a rocket. The fun part was to try and flip over at the top.
-- RayfordSteele, Dec 22 2004



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