[dlavery]

<G16> Maximum Height - A ROBOT may not extend above 60” above the floor or the ALLIANCE PLATFORM in a stable configuration at any time during a match. Each violation shall result in a penalty of 5 points per occurrence or 5 points per ball shot or ball blocked during the occurrence, whichever is greater. ROBOTs designed to violate this rule are not allowed. For example, a ROBOT that extends a blocking device in front of the center goal will be disqualified. Transient conditions that may cause a diagonal dimension of the robot to momentarily exceed the 60” height restriction – such as during a tipover or when climbing onto the ALLIANCE PLATFORM – are not subject to this rule. The one exception to the height restriction is provided in rule <R13> (flag rule).

The bolded section is the key. If the extension is DESIGNED to exceed the 60" height limit while it deploys, then count on racking up those violation points every match. Since the intial problem statement above indicates that this is the case ("it is set so that the top will be pushed up and over on the sides to make it into a 5' size on all sides. When it folds out if the tops of the falling parts temporarily go over 5' to allow for diagonal falling.") it would seem a safe bet that this will be considered a violation.

-dave