Here a bicycle valve has been attached to the underside of the trispherical (?)  volume to test its air-tightness. 

When inflated the geometry is partial self correcting as the internal pressure is even throughout.

Enlarged the original paper model on the photocopier to create a template for a bigger version of the trispherical (?) volume. 

2mm Rubber sheeting and Gaffer Tape.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/442791058_e33f70ed1f.jpg

The geometric shapes I had been trying to produce were almost identical to Japanese riceballs. Top chef A.Z.U.S.A. tells me these little beauties are formed naturally by patting rice in the palms of the hand to compress it.

The above images demonstrate the interlocking flat shapes that in unison, create the volume.

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This entry represents a continuation of my interest in the geometric space surrounding three interconnecting spheres. Using squash balls as my last, I made the paper model below...

I found this was the only way to work out the flat geometry of the volume I wanted to create.

It felt like tailoring cloth to fit a shape rather than a logical exploration of mathematics.

Car Innertube, Second Phase of the gluing process.

With the two ends already glued all that remains is the underside of the central seam.

Fingers crossed in two days it will be airtight.

Having looked at the torus or space surrounding an inflatable sphere (tennis ball), I'm now also interested in exploring the geometric space surrounding three interconnected spheres. 

This configuration proves highly stable (in a crisis of gravity) and self righting from almost any angle. 

This configuration speaks of the same interlocking language as that of the two equal halves of a tennis ball.

DISCLAIMER - SHOWN STRICTLY FOR MY OWN EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

Mars Pathfinder Lander Airbag, Prototype

Developed by ILC Dover, Inc.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA U.S.A. 1996

Plain Woven Vectran® (liquid crystal polymer) layers, some with scilicone coating for gas retention.

Image: ILC Dover, Inc.

Web source :

http://cooperhewitt.org/exhibitions/extreme_textiles/site/index.htm

Cut and re-glued car innertubes. Work in progress.

Special Inflatable boat adhesive from Polymarine Ltd. Requires 48hrs to set.

Expandable rubber seams fashioned from cut bicycle innertubes.

3D Rendering of Broken tori symmetry.

These images represent the rearrangement of six cut and re-glued car inntertubes creating a crisis communal seating / floatation platform.

Car Innertubes from a 1969 Volvo Amazon

'Designing for obsolescence' was in mind when I decided to look at the modification of car innertubes. With the dominance of single skinned inflatable tyres, innertubes are only used in the second hand and classic car markets.

These Butyl rubber innertubes are also completely un-recyclable adding to their contemporary redundancy and obsolescence. 

By folding, cutting and re-joining the geometry of the 'torus' shape, can we create new typologies for this unique product?

Before and after....Deflated & Inflated Airtight Nylon Flange Test

Airtight Nylon Flange from George Fereday on Vimeo.

I'm interested in cutting and resealing innertubes to build larger inflatable structures.

This was my first attempt at machining a nylon flange that would be airtight and lightweight enough not to disrupt the flow of the rubber shapes produced.