Wait a minute!! The load bearing "Rule" was never a rule. It wasn't even in the Q&A forum until February 16th (see below).
This one (978) was asked and answered quite early (1/11/05) and the "blatantly obvious" quote made it clear to me that a robot whose drive base was completely covering the triangle, but not necessarily having wheels touching would be considered O.K.
Quote:
Q: Regarding <G17>: What are the parameters for being "in" a loading zone? (i.e., must some part of the robot be touching the yellow triangle, et cetera)
A: There are no yellow triangles in the loading zones. The robot base and / or drive train must be touching the loading zone. The intent of this rule is that you must be in the loading zone. By making it blatantly obvious that you are in the loading zone, you will draw far less attention from the referees.
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Q&A #1617 (load bearing surface) wasn't answered until February 16th! Our drive base was already designed and driving around by then, but I guess we just ignored the perfectly clear rule.
Quote:
Q: As related to answer 978, Is a robot base considered "in" the loading zone if it isn't touching the hdpe 36" equilateral triangle? If so, What is considered part of the robot base?
A: No. The robot base is considered to be any load-bearing surface within the maximum 28" x 38" robot base size.
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Andy & Lucien,
How can you say this rule was clear? Having the robot base over the loading triangle isn't blatantly obvious? C'mon. You guys are being a bit harsh, aren't you? I don't like rule changes either, especially this one. I argue that without this rule change the referees would have interpreted "blatantly obvious" as a robot base (say, the kit bot) clearly over the loading triangle. I also think the "tie wrap hanging from the base" is a ludicrous proposal, but given the RECENT interpretation that is what my team will do.
Also, look at the picture next to rule S07. It is clear that the original intent of this rule was a drive base had to be over the zone. Notice that the wheels are not touching. Also, here is the rule as written in the FIRST manual:
Quote:
<G12> The purpose of the LOADING ZONE is to allow ROBOTS to quickly and safely receive TETRAS
without interference while HUMAN PLAYERS and/or field attendants are in close proximity, and then return
to play. The LOADING ZONE is not intended to serve as a “perpetual safety zone” to prevent interaction
with opponent ROBOTS for the entire match. Tethers, tape measures, long extension arms, and other devices
intended to contact the LOADING ZONE to maintain the “non-interference constraint” defined in <G15>
while the ROBOT drives around the remainder of the field are against the spirit of the rule and will not be
permitted. Such devices must be removed before the ROBOT will be permitted to play in the match.
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-Paul