Quote:
Originally Posted by Dad1279
My point was a reversible bumper or cover has 2-3 layers of cloth, not a single layer. Also involves velcro or drawstrings. Certainly a further deviation than a few strips of tape or dabs of glue.
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To take this one step further, what about those elastic bumper covers? R27 says "Each ROBOT must be able to display red or blue BUMPERS to match their ALLIANCE color...". The definition of a BUMPER is "BUMPER: a protective
assembly designed to attach to the exterior of the ROBOT and
constructed as specified in Section 4.6: BUMPER Rules.". If the prevailing wisdom is that a BUMPER must be constructed per R21 then where in the rules does it say those elastic bumper covers are legal? When using an elastic bumper cover isn't the underlying stapled, glued, whatever fabric cover now serving the exact same purpose as if the pool noodles were taped to the wood? R21 does not specifically allow 2 layers of fabric either.
For the record, my team has often used a small strip of tape either between the pool noodles and wood or around the pool noodles and wood as simply a "3rd hand" to hold the 2 pool noodles while stapling the fabric on. Was it necessary? No. It was simply a matter of convenience. Will they do it this year? No. The GDC has specifically ruled and and we will of course comply. We can simply grab another student to fulfill the "3rd hand" requirement and move on.
However, as an LRI, I am very interested in this thread and where it leads with any future rulings by the GDC on this subject. If Martin's strict interpretation is correct then I do not see how reversible bumpers nor elastic bumper covers are legal per the picture in R21-F.