Re: OT: Repeatably lobbing "projectiles"

On 11/21/2024 9:53 AM, Liz Tuddenham wrote:

Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:
 [...]

The "release" seems to be a big problem -- getting a (home
brewed) mechanism that cleanly releases so the stored energy
can be transferred to the projectile as a step function.

 A bow and arrow arrangement with two bow strings, one slightly longer
than the other.  The shorter string is notched into the projectile and
the longer string is held back by a 'rolling nut' in a similar way to a
mediaeval crossbow.  The displacement caused by the rolling nut
releasing the longer string will not be communicated to the shorter
string or the projectile.

I'm sorry but I can't visualize this.
I assume the second bow string is *behind* (farther from the projectile)
the first?  (if a human was using the bow, then the second string would
be closer to HIM)  But, that it is stretched similarly to the first?
What is the "rolling nut" attached to?  How does IT release the
first string?
How do I load a projectile if it's orientation onto the string is
important (notched)?