[alexander.h]

Originally Posted by Nuttyman54

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!