Can You Attach a Metal Rod to a Stretchable Spring for a Horizontal Launcher?

[whoareyou]

Homework Statement

I want to attach a metal rod in between a stretchable spring to build my horizontal spring launcher but I have no idea how to attach one or even if design would be possible.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I was thinking of a design http://i.imgur.com/I0I3X.jpg, but I don't think that it would be ... "firm" or stable.

 

[Liquidxlax]

well looking at your picture i would look like you'd just like to screw a spring over top of a bolt.

If you wanted to make a rigid spring launcher i'd suggest making a rigid frame

i'm not sure specifically what you want to launch the spring itself or something at the end of it. What i was thinking is something like what a pinball machine uses.

where the black part to the left is the pull piece

the red part is the rigid part which is fixed in place

the green part is so it doesn't break

when you pull on the black part on the left you will create a spring potential and when you release it the pin will shoot to the right.The easiest way to accomplish this device would be to take a long bolt 3 nuts and [some washer which are glued together to make the rigid part]

 

[whoareyou]

How exactly is the spring attached to the bolt though? Because when you pull on the bolt, the spring should extend to create the elastic potential energy.

 

[Liquidxlax]

Actually in my diagram the spring will be compressed