14 inch protrusion beyond frame

[Elizabeth Velds]

Oh dear. Some clarification, some raised confusion.

It is clear to me that the protrusion must be inside the frame at inspection and may be deployed on the field at match time.

What is not clear to me is the MANNER in which is may be deployed.

We had made a wedge that extended outside of the frame (but within 14 inches) that is able to move the ramp down for our robot to get on.

We have a few ideas on how to stow it attached but within the frame up to match time. But it requires unlatching latches by hand -- much like a door on door handles and a door handle locking into place using one's hand.

We are not sure if doing such is allowed.

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Velds

Oh dear. Some clarification, some raised confusion.

It is clear to me that the protrusion must be inside the frame at inspection and may be deployed on the field at match time.

What is not clear to me is the MANNER in which is may be deployed.

We had made a wedge that extended outside of the frame (but within 14 inches) that is able to move the ramp down for our robot to get on.

We have a few ideas on how to stow it attached but within the frame up to match time. But it requires unlatching latches by hand -- much like a door on door handles and a door handle locking into place using one's hand.

We are not sure if doing such is allowed.

My understanding of the rules is that such devices can only be deployed during the match. The rules state:

[G01]

When placed on the Court, each Robot must be in compliance with all Robot rules, may not exceed 60 in. tall, and have all appendages within its Frame Perimeter. The Robot must be in contact with its Key, and may contain up to two Basketballs.

Although it doesn't exactly say this, this rule really refers to the Robot at the start of the match. Otherwise you could, for example, place the robot on the Key and then push it anywhere else.

Sorry, but I don't believe the system you described is legal...

[Becca334]

You won't be able to unlatch it by hand, it needs to be mechanically done.

[nitneylion452]

Unless those latches are just for safety while off the field and the appendage holds itself back under its own power, your design is probably illegal, but we'd need pictures and maybe a video to give a better analysis.

[Bill_B]

Elizabeth,
Your appendage is the right size, but it must be moved into place under the control of the same program that runs your robot. For example, after you enter teleop mode, someone at your driver station pushes a button that starts a motor on your robot to spin a gear that makes your appendage extend.

[Gearheads1]

I don't see why it can't be deployed during Hybrid, say to tip the Coopertition bridge and get balls on your side of the field. The key is it has to be totally inside your perimeter when the match starts and can only be deployed after the start of the match when human hands aren't available. Good luck working through this, hope you have a great season!

[jvriezen]

Others have said this in different ways, but just to be sure you understand-- You place the bot on the court, with all appendages inside the frame perimeter. You walk off the court. Appendages exit the perimeter via robot actuators -- a piston, a motor, some sort of release mechanism. You don't need a way to retract the appendage, as long as you are happy with it being your only appendage option once you deploy it.

Your posting seem to indicate you need to stow your appendages for purposes of checking size during inspection -- and that is true, but it also applies to the robot rright up until the instant hybrid period starts.

You also mentioned in the OP that you built to 'maximum' frame perimeter allowance -- Most teams build to an inch or so less than the max The reason is that you MUST fit into the inspector station sizing box, which is exactly 28x38x60. Any bolt heads or 'out of square' conditions on robot that cause it to exceed this strict measurement will need to be dealt with.

[CalTran]

Totally reviving an old thread, but does anybody know if the appendage is restricted to 14" while in transition? I can't rememember where I heard or saw that it isn't, and I can't find a rule explicitly restricting it, but I'm not sure....a quick reply would be much appreciated.

[remulasce]

[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

Extending an appendage beyond 14 in, even in passing, is illegal. There is no allotment for extra size while deploying.

You may be thinking of the blue-box update for the requirement that an appendage be contiguous. The update allowed brief periods of incontiguity as the appendage extended or retracted:

[G21 Blue Box, Abridged]

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.

This does not exempt you from the 14" rule. You may at no time extend more than 14" beyond your Frame Perimeter.

[CalTran]

Ah. That'd be it. Thanks!

[jvriezen]

Since the thread is revived, a clarification on the answer to the original question... As Inspector at 10K Lakes, I worked with a team that built a bridge tipper very simply. It was simply a standard wedge arm on a pivot, that was held just past vertical by gravity. A little movement of the robot, and it fell forward. A gate latch kept it down once it fell. No motor, no pneumatics, just the simplest of simple machines.

I never actually saw it in action, but I heard it worked marvelously well. I hope no one ran into it though....

[AlexD744]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

Since the thread is revived, a clarification on the answer to the original question... As Inspector at 10K Lakes, I worked with a team that built a bridge tipper very simply. It was simply a standard wedge arm on a pivot, that was held just past vertical by gravity. A little movement of the robot, and it fell forward. A gate latch kept it down once it fell. No motor, no pneumatics, just the simplest of simple machines.

I never actually saw it in action, but I heard it worked marvelously well. I hope no one ran into it though....

Gate latches work wonderfully for tipping the bridge. That is unless you wish to retract your manipulator. We had latches, and after the system was broken in, it got to the point where it became nearly impossible to retract the ramp lowerer (costing us a finals match, and possibly a regional win). At our last event we ended up scrapping the latches and the power of the Van Door motor was enough to get the ramp down.