pic: Bumper idea - legal?

[Jon Stratis]

It may be more effort to make bumpers using this design than it is to make 2 sets... but the amount of time saved in the pits changing bumpers is definitely worth it!

[Andy A.]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

It may be more effort to make bumpers using this design than it is to make 2 sets... but the amount of time saved in the pits changing bumpers is definitely worth it!

It only took one instance of showing up to staging with the wrong color showing to convince me of how awesome reversible bumpers are. 10 seconds later we were correct.

We're never going back to separate bumpers ever again.

[Orion.DeYoe]

Originally Posted by Jared341

This is actually a pretty ingenious idea. I would check with the GDC about legality, but I don't see why they would disallow this.

Depending on how you attach your bumpers (with bolts, for example), you could also run a bolt through the flap to make absolutely sure it won't go anywhere.

I would have to agree. This is really ingenious. As to the legality, I would definitely check on the Q&A, they are the final authority on questions like this.
I've seen teams' bumper covers come completely off during a match and not get penalized. Probably not a good thing but that's what happens.

[efoote868]

I'm asking for a mod to lock this; the question is now answered and 4 years old.

[hzdbl5]

We've been doing this with our bumpers for a couple of years now. No one has ever challeneged them. In fact, we won a judges award at one of our competitions due in part to the bumpers.

The big advantages are 1) only one set of bumpers to keep track of, pack and transport, and 2) quick and easy color change.

[tickspe15]

We made bumpers like these last year with great success

[Yalib]

We used this method at the 2012 Israeli Regional and passed inspection just fine. It worked great and was very easy to switch the colors.
if you plan on using one bumper piece to circle the robot than plan the cornres and how the fabric will "bend". Take time to really plan it before you manufacture it..

Video of the switching

[JamesSpencer]

I hope someone hasn't posted this before, but team 2809 has a tutorial on how to make these on our website. http://kbots.files.wordpress.com/201...ble-bumper.pdf. Best of luck to everyone using them, they are super handy.

[iSquid]

Originally Posted by Cynette

After much wrangling and wrestling with the bumpers, especially with the soft ended ones, we came up with a very simple solution, which was very good because I was at the point of begging to make a second set of bumpers!

Add a strip of fabric to the flap about 2-1/2 inches wide and 5-6 inches long and sew it to align with the seam line joining the two colors where the flap starts. Put sturdy velcro on the strip and a matching piece on the back or the bumper (or on the adjacent bumper). When you fold the ends pull this strip the whole way over the end and secure the velcro. It holds all of the end fabric in place and hides any stray edges of the wrong color.

If you need a better description or photos to help you from tearing the blasted bumpers to shreds, let me know.

Could you post the pics or e-mail them to me at calamari.ethan@gmail.com, that would be VERY helpful. I am having a hard time visualizing what you mean. Thanks.

[iSquid]

Originally Posted by Cynette

Here is Rolling Thunder's Thunderfoot with the red-side fabric on the outside: 1511 Red Bumper,

and with the blue-side out: 1511 Blue Bumper.

You could tell the double sided bumpers by the tell-tale horizontal seam along the centerline of the bumpers.

Looks real good. Had trouble last year. Only thought about two bumpers, one red, one blue. All four sides were connected. To any team that is thinking about doing that, DON'T (!!!!!!!) , it is a terribly hard sewing job.

[iSquid]

Originally Posted by Teamcodeorange

This is what we used last year: link

Quick-change and inspector approved.

How the heck did you design that???? It looked like the red side was connected at one end. I'm completely confused .

[iSquid]

Originally Posted by Teamcodeorange

This is what we used last year: link

Quick-change and inspector approved.

How long did it take you to make those bumpers?

[Teamcodeorange]

Originally Posted by iSquid

How long did it take you to make those bumpers?

Originally Posted by iSquid

How the heck did you design that???? It looked like the red side was connected at one end. I'm completely confused .

It took a while to design and build, but saved us a lot of time and trouble at San Diego and championship. My mom is a good seamstress! We were thinking about making a tutorial on how to design and build them. (Maybe after build season, this year's hard!)

[orangemoore]

I am not sure that anyone noticed that that update was from two years ago. I an not sure if i am missing something with that or what.