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An idea we came up with for changing bumper color. The manual only suggests a removable cover or two sets of bumpers (R12), but we couldn't find any rules specifically against this. Our main question is if this is legal. The stitching won't be visible and we will print our team number on both sides, so the only concern would be the flap coming off and leaving the bumper zone, but this is also a risk with bumper covers.
Thanks for any feedback
PS: I used PowerPoint to make the drawing.
02-07-2010 04:08 PM
Jared341
This is actually a pretty ingenious idea. I would check with the GDC about legality, but I don't see why they would disallow this.
Depending on how you attach your bumpers (with bolts, for example), you could also run a bolt through the flap to make absolutely sure it won't go anywhere.
02-07-2010 04:11 PM
BrendanB
That is really cool! Agree with Jared, if it works out put a bolt on there to help hold it!
Very smart idea!
02-07-2010 04:18 PM
Alan Anderson
That's a great idea. Please get an official answer from the GDC on whether it satisfies the bumper rules.
02-07-2010 04:34 PM
Coach NormGreat idea. I will be interested in what the GDC rules.
You could put a grommet in the flap on each side and have a bolt that goes through the grommet to hold it in place.
02-07-2010 04:37 PM
IndySam
What a great idea. I hope this gets approved.
02-07-2010 04:45 PM
Dan2081This is legit! I always love when good ideas come from central ill
02-07-2010 04:55 PM
Jones571hope they approve this it is a great idea
02-07-2010 05:08 PM
m^3Thanks for the feedback. We'll probably back up the velcro with grommets or something similar. The only downside I can think of is it coming loose and leaving the bumper zone.
I haven't been able to post this to Q&A yet (I need to get our login information), but feel free to use my picture and ask them yourself.
02-07-2010 11:00 PM
EricH
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that while this is an ingenious idea, it probably won't be approved. Quoting <R12>, "Therefore, each ROBOT must be able to display red BUMPERS and blue BUMPERS This may be done via either of two acceptable methods:" and then it goes on to list the methods.
What they don't say is if any other method is acceptable. That's what I'd ask. If I had Q&A access, I would say something like: "We have found another method to change bumper color. We would like to know if we are allowed to use this method. [describe method] If this is not legal, we would also like to know which rule it specifically violates."
Like I say, I'm not sure this method would go through, but I'd love it if it did. I'd also use the grommet attachment suggested.
02-07-2010 11:17 PM
Rion Atkinson
Has anyone posted this on the Q&A yet? I am my team's Q&A guy, so I will gladly do it if the OP has yet to gain access to the Q&A. I would actually just copy the picture and use Eric's question format.
lol
-Rion
02-07-2010 11:21 PM
m^3Go ahead, that would be appreciated. Eric's phrasing of the question sounds good.
02-07-2010 11:22 PM
Al Skierkiewicz
I really like this idea, you guys are good! The Q&A has the final say on this though as to whether it satisfies R12. I wonder why someone didn't think of this before.
02-07-2010 11:29 PM
cbale2000I hope this get's approved, if it does this could save a LOT of teams (mine included) from having to make 2 sets of bumpers or a bumper cover that could potentially fall off!
Can't wait to see the GDC feedback on this one! 
02-07-2010 11:30 PM
delsaner
Innovation at its finest. Wonderful idea, and I also hope it gets approved. 
02-07-2010 11:41 PM
Rion Atkinson
I have posted this to the Q&A. For the moment it can be found here.
02-07-2010 11:45 PM
billbo911Not only is this ingenious, it also radically reduces the possibility of the secondary, or slip cover, color from hanging down and causing a penalty due to rough play.
02-07-2010 11:57 PM
dlavery
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I have posted this to the Q&A. For the moment it can be found here.
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02-08-2010 07:57 AM
johnrHow do you do the ends? Great idea but i just can't picture the ends.
02-08-2010 09:31 AM
Rion Atkinson
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If you posted it there, in the "New Topics" forum, it will not get answered. If you actually want an official answer to your question, it has to be submitted to the "Submit Your Questions Here" forum (clever title, eh?). Access to the submission forum is limited to the officially appointed team representative.
-dave . |
02-08-2010 01:22 PM
ALTrammell818If this is approved would you mind other teams using the idea?
02-08-2010 02:08 PM
techgirl3This is a great idea. Kudos to whoever thought of it
02-09-2010 10:25 AM
Alex Cormier
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Sorry about that. I fixed it. (That Submit Your Questions Here" forum is well hidden... )
Sorry about that everyone, Rion |
02-09-2010 10:57 AM
m^3Formerly Famous submitted it, but I don't see it in the submit area, so maybe the GDC removes them from the submit area until they post the answer in the responses section. Another possibility is that they put something in the team update (don't those usually come out on Tuesday?).
IF this gets approved, anyone is welcome to use it. The more people that use it, the more we can develop and tweak it for next year.
This might explain the idea a little better. The sections on the right and left side would be on the sides of the bumper.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink
02-09-2010 10:59 AM
Chris is me
Instead of velcro, perhaps a line of several snap fasteners would work better. Same repeatability, a bit more grip.
02-09-2010 11:21 AM
m^3The snap fasteners sound good. Using grommets and pulling them over a post should work as well. The tension from compressing the noodles as you pull the flap back should hold it.
Read all about snap fasteners here:
http://www.snapsource.com/faqs/introtosnaps.php
The only question is if they are strong enough.
02-09-2010 07:43 PM
DRH2oLooks like it is legal --- if I am reading this right.
Alternately, the ROBOT may use changeable BUMPER covers. The BUMPER covers
− may be removable, reversible, or fixed
From Update #9 http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...Update%209.pdf
02-09-2010 08:01 PM
Bob SteeleI think we all need to see that the GDC can recognize and value good and creative ways to play the game. They can see a good solution and are willing to make it possible to use it...
A round of applause for them!!
And now a bigger round of applause for the ingenious inventors of this bumper idea..!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!
When we share .... everyone benefits....!!
see you on the field...
now we just have to figure out how to sew these...!!
02-09-2010 08:24 PM
m^3Well I guess that answers my question... now we just have to build them
Better get to work, I'll be sure to post some pictures when we finish.
Anyone's welcome to use this design (or come up with other methods and post them!), but make sure you follow all the rules and build them robustly. On another note, it's pretty cool our idea made it into a team update...
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<R12> The color of the BUMPERS will be used to identify the ALLIANCE to which the ROBOT has been assigned, red or blue. Therefore, each ROBOT must be able to display red BUMPERS and blue BUMPERS. This may be done via either of two acceptable methods: A. Each ROBOT may be built with two complete sets of interchangeable BUMPERS, one red and one blue. If this method is chosen, the BUMPERS must be identical except for the color of the covering fabric (see Rule <R07-F>). B. Alternately, the ROBOT may use changeable BUMPER covers. The BUMPER covers − may be removable, reversible, or fixed − must completely enclose the BUMPERS − must show only a single color such that when the BUMPER covers are in use, only fabric of the assigned ALLIANCE color may be visible. − must be constructed solely of fabric and a fastening/restraining system to hold the cover in place. The fastening/restraining system must extend no further than one inch beyond the FRAME PERIMETER (i.e. no further than any other hard parts of the BUMPER - see Rule <R07-N>). Please note that the fastening/restraining system MUST be designed with robust performance in mind. The restraints must hold the The BUMPERS may be constructed with a fabric covering of one color (see Rule <R07-F>), and then covered with a removable fabric shroud of the opposite color when appropriate. The removable cover must completely enclose the BUMPERS and conceal the contrasting fabric. removable cover in place during February 9, 2010 vigorous interactions with other ROBOTS and FIELD elements during the MATCH without allowing the cover to come off. |
| must be constructed solely of fabric and a fastening/restraining system to hold the cover in place. The fastening/restraining system must extend no further than one inch beyond the FRAME PERIMETER (i.e. no further than any other hard parts of the BUMPER - see Rule <R07-N>). |
02-09-2010 09:00 PM
Mike Betts|
...But this raises the question of if the stitching is allowed... would it count as "fabric?"
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02-09-2010 09:17 PM
Al Skierkiewicz
And the answer to the question...
B. Alternately, the ROBOT may use changeable BUMPER covers. The BUMPER covers
− may be removable, reversible, or fixed
− must completely enclose the BUMPERS
− must show only a single color such that when the BUMPER covers are in use, only fabric of the assigned ALLIANCE color may be visible.
We all win, nice job guys! Take a pat on the back out of petty cash!
02-10-2010 01:55 AM
KarenH|
Instead of velcro, perhaps a line of several snap fasteners would work better. Same repeatability, a bit more grip.
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02-10-2010 07:23 AM
GaryVoshol
You might consider fusible interfacing between the red and blue to keep them laying flat and neat.
02-10-2010 09:31 AM
Daniel_LaFleur|
You might consider fusible interfacing between the red and blue to keep them laying flat and neat.
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02-10-2010 09:38 AM
Tristan LallThe other interesting change due to Update #9 is that apparently non-red/blue bumpers are allowed, as long as the covers are red and blue (or reversible red & blue).
02-10-2010 10:58 AM
GaryVoshol
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The other interesting change due to Update #9 is that apparently non-red/blue bumpers are allowed, as long as the covers are red and blue (or reversible red & blue).
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02-10-2010 02:41 PM
dlavery
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The other interesting change due to Update #9 is that apparently non-red/blue bumpers are allowed, as long as the covers are red and blue (or reversible red & blue).
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02-10-2010 02:58 PM
billbo911| <R07-F>. The fabric covering the BUMPERS must be solid red or solid blue in color. Visually, the red or blue must be as close to the corresponding color in the FIRST logo as reasonable (i.e. to a reasonably astute observer, they appear similar). The only markings permitted on the BUMPER fabric cover are the team number (see Rule <R15>). |
02-10-2010 03:14 PM
dlavery
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I believe Tristan's comment meant that the bumpers themselves could be any color as long as the covers were the correct Red/Blue. This appears to be supported by the rules as well.
Now if the rule said: "The fabric the bumper is constructed of must be solid red or solid blue in color....." then it would be a different story. |
02-10-2010 03:19 PM
waialua359I think to save everyone the hastle, just make a set of red and blue bumpers, case closed and worry about building the robot.
Seattle Fabrics doesnt have a shortage of those colors. 
02-10-2010 03:27 PM
billbo911|
Rule <R07> discusses the bumpers. Rule <R12-B> discusses removable/reversible covers. The changes to Rule <R12-B> in Update #9 do not affect the fact that Rule <R07> still requires that the BUMPERS be a single, solid red or blue color.
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02-10-2010 05:13 PM
DonRotolo
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Rule <R07> discusses the bumpers. Rule <R12-B> discusses removable/reversible covers. The changes to Rule <R12-B> in Update #9 do not affect the fact that Rule <R07> still requires that the BUMPERS be a single, solid red or blue color.
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02-10-2010 05:31 PM
Al Skierkiewicz
Dave,
The proposed construction method above would present a single piece/color of fabric to the view of all. A good seamstress would of course use a different color when stitching the fabric so that the red side is stitched in red and the blue side in blue. Numbers would of course have to be present on both sides.
02-10-2010 05:58 PM
Wayne Doenges
The only problem I see with the fold over bumper cover design is how do you keep the ends covered in the correct color?
02-10-2010 07:08 PM
EricH
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Dave,
Thank you for your thoughts on the matter. This not being an official FIRST forum, I am asking your opinion, with the explicit understanding that your opinion (possibly expressed here) carries no weight at all as far as inspection, rules, or competitions are concerned. That is, your opinion is not an official communication from FIRST. Just some guy's opinion. Is it legal to use the idea presented here? Don . |
02-10-2010 08:40 PM
DonRotolo
but I think he was just reminding us that there are other issues to consider when skinning a bumper...
02-11-2010 01:30 AM
Tristan Lall|
Rule <R07> discusses the bumpers. Rule <R12-B> discusses removable/reversible covers. The changes to Rule <R12-B> in Update #9 do not affect the fact that Rule <R07> still requires that the BUMPERS be a single, solid red or blue color.
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02-11-2010 09:47 AM
dlavery
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If you interpret <R07F> to deal with the fabric directly enclosing the pool noodles, or all fabric in the bumpers, then I agree, your interpretation is accurate. However, if you interpret the same paragraph to refer instead to the single layer of "fabric covering the BUMPERS", then the combination of <R07> and <R12> does not restrict the colour of the rest of the bumper, when properly covered with a red or blue fabric shroud.
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02-11-2010 12:05 PM
billbo911As mentioned before, there is one thing that must be taken into account when using this bumper cover configuration. Do not forget that the ends of the bumpers must also be wrapped in such a way that ONLY the alliance color you are on at that time can be seen.
The banging around that is sure to happen in this game can very easily place considerable forces on the cover fabric. Those forces need to be anticipated and handled in a way that will prevent the cover from slipping and exposing the opposing alliance color.
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<R12-B> Alternately, the ROBOT may use changeable BUMPER covers. The BUMPER covers Each ROBOT may be built with two complete sets of interchangeable BUMPERS, one red and one blue. If this method is chosen, the BUMPERS must be identical except for the color of the covering fabric (see Rule <R07-F>). − may be removable, reversible, or fixed − must completely enclose the BUMPERS − must show only a single color such that when the BUMPER covers are in use, only fabric of the assigned ALLIANCE color may be visible... |
02-11-2010 02:20 PM
Alex Cormier
Does the velcro have to bed red/blue?
02-11-2010 09:27 PM
yoda92The Velcro on the bumpers does not need to be red/blue because the Velcro should never show
I'd suggest something along the lines of fishing wire for the "heavy duty stitching"
02-12-2010 12:26 AM
Tristan Lall|
Read the second paragraph of Section 8.3 of The Manual. Apply Occam's Razor. Which interpretation do you think is true?
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03-01-2010 09:26 AM
hipsterjr|
The only problem I see with the fold over bumper cover design is how do you keep the ends covered in the correct color?
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03-02-2010 10:56 AM
Cynette
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The only problem I see with the fold over bumper cover design is how do you keep the ends covered in the correct color?
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We have made a set of reversable bumpers and that has been the tricky part.
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03-02-2010 01:04 PM
Bob SteeleWe finished our bumpers and have them on the robot. We tailored the corners so they can fold over on themselves and cover... they have velcro.
I will continue to salute the team that came up with this innovate design..and to those that have boldly gone ahead and done it...and made it work.
I will continue to choose to believe that the spirit of the regulations is what is important... the intent ot his rule should be plain to anyone without meadering the rules..or worrying about it.
When you go on the field you should be identified as either the red or the blue alliance based on the bumper color.
Dave mentioned this rule:
<R07-F>. The fabric covering the BUMPERS must be solid red or solid blue in color. Visually, the red or blue must be as close to the corresponding color in the FIRST logo as reasonable (i.e. to a reasonably astute observer, they appear similar). The only markings permitted on the BUMPER fabric cover are the team number (see Rule <R15>).
One can read that many ways.... and if your bumpers are capable of being covered by solid red or blue fabric...the intent AND the word of the rule are satisfied.
Covering means what is on the OUTSIDE of the bumper...
Good luck and have a great time at the competition
We hope to see you on the field...
We have a pic of our robot on CD here with the bumpers on if anyone wants to do a quick search...blue out in the pic...
take care
03-02-2010 01:11 PM
O'Sancheski
that is exactly what team paragon did... they are the coolest bumbers we have ever had
04-23-2010 11:56 AM
JesseKFor the teams that tried this idea -- did the bumpers pass inspection and how well did they work?
04-23-2010 02:16 PM
Cynette
Absolutely! It was fun with the first weigh-in for our team. We put the red covered bumpers on the scale and the inspector said, "I need to see the blue ones, too." One of our team mentors, who was standing there, turned to a team member and said, "Go get the blue bumpers." The team member got a very confused look on his face. He turned to go and then turned back and said, "Wait, we only have one set!" Then it was the mentor's turn to look confused!
Our only problem with them was in Atlanta when the robot hooked on the robot gate with the bumper with enough force to pull the velcroed flap open to expose the other color. The drive team made sure to take an extra few seconds after that to make sure the cover was pulled tight and the velcro pieces aligned. Compared to some of the saggy bumper covers we saw, the two sided ones were much more elegant!
04-23-2010 02:22 PM
RMS11I would love to see some pics if any team has them!
04-23-2010 02:47 PM
Cynette
)
04-23-2010 02:50 PM
RMiller|
Here is Rolling Thunder's Thunderfoot with the red-side fabric on the outside: 1511 Red Bumper,
and with the blue-side out: 1511 Blue Bumper. You could tell the double sided bumpers by the tell-tale horizontal seam along the centerline of the bumpers. (Can you tell what pose is my favorite for our robot? ) |
04-23-2010 03:19 PM
bscharlesYa our team did the same team. I think that the bumper covers were too loose looking
04-23-2010 03:53 PM
kgzakOur team did the same thing. It was so easy to switch between bumpers. We went out to get on the field after we were working on the robot. Our bumpers were the wrong color and a volunteer said, "You guys have the wrong bumpers on! You need to change them!" We switched colors before she could finish her sentence.
04-23-2010 04:04 PM
Peter Matteson
You can see our version of these bumpers here:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/35596
We never had any problems with them and the field crew loved the fact we made them for them.
One set was far simpler than making two.
Thanks again for the idea.
Pete
04-23-2010 04:07 PM
ratdude7471747 used that bumper design. when our robot is back, i can get pics of it.
04-23-2010 04:07 PM
BEEKMAN|
Our team did the same thing. It was so easy to switch between bumpers. We went out to get on the field after we were working on the robot. Our bumpers were the wrong color and a volunteer said, "You guys have the wrong bumpers on! You need to change them!" We switched colors before she could finish her sentence.
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04-23-2010 04:30 PM
angelawence11wow! very creative and innovative!!!!!!!! I dont know for sure that it's legal, but it should be. I mean, its 1 piece (assuming your heavy duty stitching holds up) it seems less likely to "have an incident" than the current bumper covers do. I've seen a couple matches where robots bumper covers fall off... if made correctly this would help prevent that! great idea.
04-23-2010 04:46 PM
Aren_Hill
Used it and loved it, didnt look quite as good as individual sets but we're lazy....
thanks for the idea
04-23-2010 10:57 PM
O'Sancheski
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For the teams that tried this idea -- did the bumpers pass inspection and how well did they work?
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04-24-2010 08:27 AM
ThainePSweet! I've gotta show my team this! We spent six hours making our bumpers, and this would cut that down to about two.
Thaine
04-24-2010 12:49 PM
Enigma's puzzleIf i could upload a picture i would, maybe i will have to upload one CD media. They were really quite slick, excellent idea.