On: US Patent 9085897: Space elevator

[tomswartz07]

Surely.

I didn't necessarily mean a free-standing object that was anchored at only the base.

Another commenter pointed out a project very similar to what I was thinking: StarTram: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StarTram

It has supports and launches the vehicle using maglev; basically a big, tangential, spaceship cannon that launches into orbit using fixed structures.

[riemannzeta → tomswartz07]

Heinlein had a similar idea, which he described in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

http://www.quora.com/How-feasible-would-the-catapults-from-t...

[logfromblammo → riemannzeta]

The moon also has lower escape velocity than Earth. Lower lunar gravity makes every method of reaching orbit easier.

[echelon → tomswartz07]

Looks similar to the "launch loop" concept.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_loop