Asti-This company has been on the frontlines of inflatable-structure innovation
for over 30 years. Especially important to our work was Asti's developments
in Cable Net System, which aids in supporting the structure and allows it
to withstand almost hurricane-level winds.
Showdome-As a source of technology and methodology, this site was of little
help, however, it was a resource that gave insight to the various shapes and
uses of inflatable materials.
http://www.inflatable.net/showdome/
Lgarde- The infamous inflatable satellite...here we see a marriage of space-age
technology and inflatable structures, much like some of our own designs--see
Executive model of the Ecopack. Unfortunately, when launched the inflatable
parts of the satellite failed to inflate, rendering the object useless.
http://www.lgarde.com/programs/ird.html
ILC Dover-excellent source that provides insight into technical design of
various scientific inflatables, especially when it comes to the shape/materials
of the structures.
fibersource-site that was the derivation of our use of pneumatic tubes and
the "ribbed skeletal structure." Other fabrics can be found here
that were useful starting points in our own designs.
aerotube-This company created a poolshade that was a precedent for us in
terms of stability and wear-and-tear. Since these designs are specifically
made to be in the elements, careful notice was taken of their construction
and set-up.
http://www.aerotube.com/html/faq.html
danadesign/sierradesign/mac pac/coleman/sheltersystems-Precedents in camping
gear were of great importance in designing the size and shape of our own tent
to increase portability.
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/home.asp
http://www.shelter-systems.com/future.html
ATC- An amazing company that takes the idea of inflatability to an entirely
new level...Art installations, convention pieces, and inflatable screens are
composed with a sense of whimsy while strictly following function. Hopefully
our own designs can keep such a balance.
http://www.air-et-toiles-concept.com/
ArchiNed-An award-winning tent design that has inflatable parts but was insightful
as to certain draw-backs of this kind of construction.
vertigo-Aeronautical structures that implement inflation in various ways.
ITEK- The arching/shell-like design of our own tent was based on this company's precedents, including their millenium arches in Stockholm.
fabricpanels- Here is found the precedents for the solar-cell fabric that
we use in our Executive models. Our own plans call for smaller cells, making
it more fabric-like than that discussed at this site.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~doranje/Fold-up_panels.htm
DrFosterPupTent-Portable animal tents, believe it or not, were useful precedents
when it came to designing the patern for our own folding tents.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=2245
Plasma-Precedents for our own fabric screen came from studying the flat screens
