Rule R23

[alexander.h]

Hello! I've been looking through the manual for any last-minute modifications we might need to do and I came across rule R23 concerning the bumpers.

R23
BUMPERS may not be articulated (specifically, R23 is assessed relative to the FRAME PERIMETER).
Can someone please give me the exact definition of what the word "articulated" means in this case? Thanks!

[Caleb Sykes]

"Articulated" means moving the bumpers relative to the frame perimeter during the match.

Relative to your frame perimeter, the bumpers must be in a static position during match play. You can however take the bumpers on or off after matches, or switch the color if you have reversibles, that is allowed.

If you have questions about your specific design, please post pictures and/or descriptions.

[alexander.h]

"Articulated" means moving the bumpers relative to the frame perimeter during the match.

Relative to your frame perimeter, the bumpers must be in a static position during match play. You can however take the bumpers on or off after matches, or switch the color if you have reversibles, that is allowed.

If you have questions about your specific design, please post pictures and/or descriptions.

Well, we're using hinges at bumper corners to easily put them on, so you could say that they are slightly articulated off the robot. However, when we put them on during the match, the bumpers are perfectly static. Will this pass?

[Roger]

See Q198 (https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Question/198/could-you-define-articulated-on-the-bumpers) in the FRC Q&A.

In the future, go to https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Questions.php, click on a category (and, optionally, the filter), then click the Search button for each section of the rules. It all makes good reading. (It's a place not really obvious unless you see it mentioned.)

[safiq10]

So if you have bumpers that are attached to pnumatics, that extend out and in the game. That is most likely illegal right?

[alexander.h]

See Q198 (https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Question/198/could-you-define-articulated-on-the-bumpers) in the FRC Q&A.

In the future, go to https://frc-qa.usfirst.org/Questions.php, click on a category (and, optionally, the filter), then click the Search button for each section of the rules. It all makes good reading. (It's a place not really obvious unless you see it mentioned.)

So I guess that we're good! Thanks for the clarification!

[alexander.h]

So if you have bumpers that are attached to pnumatics, that extend out and in the game. That is most likely illegal right?

In theory, that's the idea.

[Roger]

So I guess that we're good! Thanks for the clarification!Well, I was just answering what the word "articulated" means in the rules, not if your hinges are okay. You still have to follow the "4.6 BUMPER Rule" section.

[alexander.h]

Well, I was just answering what the word "articulated" means in the rules, not if your hinges are okay. You still have to follow the "4.6 BUMPER Rule" section.

Don't worry, I believe that the rest of the rules were followed. And what do you mean by "if our hinges are okay" ? How could they not be okay?

[Nuttyman54]

Don't worry, I believe that the rest of the rules were followed. And what do you mean by "if our hinges are okay" ? How could they not be okay?

This is just my interpretation of the rules. For the record I think having a hinge on the bumpers for easy access should be fine as long as you secure it before the match.

Rule R32 about articulated bumpers is in the Robot section of the rules, not the Game section of the rules. Therefore, it is a robot requirement. It does not say that the bumpers may not be articulated during match play, it says that they may not be articulated, period. To me, that implies that ANY articulation is illegal, whether or not it's powered and whether or not it occurs or can occur during a match.

My understanding from your comments is that the hinges allow easy access/installation, but you have something additional like pins or bolts that you use to secure them to the frame perimeter so they cannot "hinge" during a match.

If that is the case, the hinge AND whatever pins you are using to fix the bumpers to the frame perimeter are both necessary parts of your bumper mounting solution. Without both of those, your bumpers aren't fully installed. With them installed and fixed, they can't articulate so they aren't articulated.

It would be akin to someone who has a bumper mounting system that drops into slots, and then the pin through the slots. If you just drop them in and then go to inspection, they'd fail you for not being a rigid and robust mounting system, but it's never designed to compete like that because that's not the complete mounting system.

[alexander.h]

This is just my interpretation of the rules. For the record I think having a hinge on the bumpers for easy access should be fine as long as you secure it before the match.

Rule R32 about articulated bumpers is in the Robot section of the rules, not the Game section of the rules. Therefore, it is a robot requirement. It does not say that the bumpers may not be articulated during match play, it says that they may not be articulated, period. To me, that implies that ANY articulation is illegal, whether or not it's powered and whether or not it occurs or can occur during a match.

My understanding from your comments is that the hinges allow easy access/installation, but you have something additional like pins or bolts that you use to secure them to the frame perimeter so they cannot "hinge" during a match.

If that is the case, the hinge AND whatever pins you are using to fix the bumpers to the frame perimeter are both necessary parts of your bumper mounting solution. Without both of those, your bumpers aren't fully installed. With them installed and fixed, they can't articulate so they aren't articulated.

It would be akin to someone who has a bumper mounting system that drops into slots, and then the pin through the slots. If you just drop them in and then go to inspection, they'd fail you for not being a rigid and robust mounting system, but it's never designed to compete like that because that's not the complete mounting system.

I see ... thanks!