Appendage Ruleing yet?

[dellagd]

So, since Im sure this would be helpful to me and others, has anyone seen a good definitive ruling on something like a forked appendage that the two prongs cross the frame perimeter at one time by themselves without their connecting piece outside the frame perimeter with them?

[SteveGPage]

http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/TeamUpdates/0#term%20130

Robot Actions
[G21]
Robots may extend one appendage up to 14 in. beyond a single edge of their frame perimeter at any time.
Violation: Foul for exceeding size allotments; Technical-Foul for continuous or repeated violations.

These appendages are intended for use in manipulating Basketballs and/or Bridges. A Robot may have multiple extension devices onboard, but only one may be deployed at a given time.

All portions of an appendage that are outside the Frame Perimeter must be contiguous with each other. Very brief violations of the contiguity requirement as a single appendage is being extended or retracted will not be penalized.

[tux]

I am also having a problem with "contiguous" (as mentioned in the G21 team update).

Our extension is sort of like a pair of salad tongs. One of the tongs is articulated. The two tongs do not contact each other directly, but they are both connected to one other piece. In other words, they cannot be deployed separately. They are both part of one mechanism that is deployed as a single unit. Is that contiguous?

[EricLeifermann]

Originally Posted by tux

I am also having a problem with "contiguous" (as mentioned in the G21 team update).

Our extension is sort of like a pair of salad tongs. One of the tongs is articulated. The two tongs do not contact each other directly, but they are both connected to one other piece. In other words, they cannot be deployed separately. They are both part of one mechanism that is deployed as a single unit. Is that contiguous?

Do they touch each other somehow outside the frame perimeter? If not they they won't be considered contiguous. for the ruling on this look at Steve's post above you

[jvriezen]

My current interpretation of the appendage rule is that other than 'briefly' during deployment and retractions, you should be able to slice on the plane of the frame perimeter with a light saber or guillotine, and then there should be at most one piece of stuff, all connected (contiguous). If there are two separate pieces of debris, its not legal.

[tux]

Originally Posted by EricLeifermann

Do they touch each other somehow outside the frame perimeter?

No. The 2 tongs do not touch each other directly, but they are connected through one other piece.

I am having a hard time understanding how any meaningfully complex mechanism could satisfy

All portions of an appendage that are outside the Frame Perimeter must be contiguous with each other.

if contiguous is meant to indicate "directly touching."

I think the meaning is more like "connected through a piece that is also outside the frame".

So, I believe that our mechanism will be ok, since once it is deployed the 2 sections are connected through a piece that will also be outside of the frame. I guess we will find out for sure when we go through inspection.

[nitneylion452]

Originally Posted by SteveGPage

http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/TeamUpdates/0#term%20130

Robot Actions
[G21]
Robots may extend one appendage up to 14 in. beyond a single edge of their frame perimeter at any time.
Violation: Foul for exceeding size allotments; Technical-Foul for continuous or repeated violations.

All portions of an appendage that are outside the Frame Perimeter must be contiguous with each other. Very brief violations of the contiguity requirement as a single appendage is being extended or retracted will not be penalized.

if contiguous is meant to indicate "directly touching."

I think the meaning is more like "connected through a piece that is also outside the frame".

So, I believe that our mechanism will be ok, since once it is deployed the 2 sections are connected through a piece that will also be outside of the frame. I guess we will find out for sure when we go through inspection.

Steve's post to the team update should clarify your concerns. While an appendage is outside of the frame perimeter, it must be contiguous, i.e., all pieces must be connected by something that is also outside the frame perimeter. You will not get penalized for brief infractions of this requirement during deployment/retraction.

[dellagd]

Great

Thanks guys