What is this metal launcher that appears in airship levels of both Sonic and Kirby games?

I've seen the following metal object in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic & Knuckles, and Kirby Super Star.

When the player character steps over it, they become attached to the object, the object shoots to the right, then releases the character at high speed before slowly retracting to its original position.

What is this object? Is it based on something in real life, or some common fictional reference?

I notice it's often associated with airship levels: Wing Fortress Zone in Sonic 2, Flying Battery Zone in Sonic & Knuckles (pictured), and the various Battleship Halberd stages in Kirby Super Star. However, it appears in other locations in the latter two games, such as Death Egg Zone in S&K.