[chadr03]

The key to easy bumper switching is use as few bumper pieces as possible. The past few times we have had to use bumpers we have built one piece bumpers where a single bumper wraps around the entire robot. I think most bots I have seen could be build with one or two piece bumpers.

With one piece bumpers we have had success using four mounting bolts (one on each corner). The bolts will go through our frame vertically with the head at the bottom and the threads pointing upward. They are held in place with a nylock nut. A long enough bolt is used that there is thread protruding from the nylock nut. The bumpers have angle aluminum brackets attached that have holes drilled through them that allow the bumper to drop onto the bolts. A second nylock nut is used to secure the bumper to the frame.

This makes a very secure connection and with only four nuts designed for easy access allows for quick changes. Two students can easily change bumpers in less than a min.

In the past we have tried pins, clips, t-nuts, and velcro reversing bumpers, but simply using nylock nuts and bolts and as few bumpers as possible has been the best solution.