Two Story Pit Area?

[Bill Moore]

Originally Posted by Ronald_raygun

Instead of multi-story pits. How about a raised pit? or split-level pit? Surely there isn't a FIRST rule stating that the pits must be on the ground right?

It would make getting the robot up there a little difficult but given the thoughts being tossed around, I'm sure someone can figure it out.

If you take a look at the picture, that cutout is for the robot cart and lifting mechanism. the space between the pit and floor will have no body parts, but instead, they will have buckets full of tools, parts, etc. The front of the pit (and side if you are lucky enough to get a corner) will have cabinets for storage purposes.

I'm not sure I understand why this would supplant the tables and workbenches most teams currently have in their pit. Storage space is already available under them. Do you have other purposes for raising the pit deck?

[Bill_Hancoc]

Originally Posted by Bill Moore

I'm not sure I understand why this would supplant the tables and workbenches most teams currently have in their pit. Storage space is already available under them. Do you have other purposes for raising the pit deck?

it would give you an "eye up" on the compition...allowing tall people to see completly arounf them and see where other team members are or other things

[Josh Murphy]

A two storied pit area would be cool and interesting but come on it has unsafe written all over it especially if there are intentions for using the second story.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Ronald_raygun

Instead of multi-story pits. How about a raised pit? or split-level pit? Surely there isn't a FIRST rule stating that the pits must be on the ground right?

It would make getting the robot up there a little difficult but given the thoughts being tossed around, I'm sure someone can figure it out.



If you take a look at the picture, that cutout is for the robot cart and lifting mechanism. the space between the pit and floor will have no body parts, but instead, they will have buckets full of tools, parts, etc. The front of the pit (and side if you are lucky enough to get a corner) will have cabinets for storage purposes.

I'm kind of liking this idea. Certainly not nearly as extravagant as my original idea, but you could have the floor be all hinged panels and the bottom area compartmentalized and you could keep all your stuff below the floor with easy access. It would provide good storage and easy accessibility.

[fimmel]

i couldent resist...
heres my version 1

complete with track lighting

[Mike Schroeder]

I hate to burst everyone's bubble

Originally Posted by FIRST Rulebook Section 7

7.7.4 NEW: Team Stations
These designated spaces help organize team placement and help team members, judges, and visitors find
teams easily. Please keep your numbers visible and aligned. They are set up to be as equal as possible.
Each team's pit station will have a table and power outlet.
For safety and because of insurance regulations, teams cannot build any structure that supports people or
items for storage above the work area in their pit space. No structures should be higher than 10 feet above
the floor and must safely support any signs or displays mounted to the structure. FIRST will require the
removal of any pit structure that is deemed unsafe by event management personnel and local committee
members.

and before someone tells me that the rules can change i will put money on this one NOT changing

[John Gutmann]

Wouldn't it be better to focus all this attention and energy on making something useful or better for your robot?

[Cody Carey]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

I hate to burst everyone's bubble


and before someone tells me that the rules can change i will put money on this one NOT changing

That rule (the bolded part) States that you aren't allowed to have storage above people's heads. That is because if something heavy falls, it will hurt the person below it. The rule doesn't state that you can't support your workspace above a storage area, only that you can't put heavy things above your workspace.

[Kristian Calhoun]

Originally Posted by FIRST Rulebook Section 7

7.7.4 NEW: Team Stations
These designated spaces help organize team placement and help team members, judges, and visitors find
teams easily. Please keep your numbers visible and aligned. They are set up to be as equal as possible.
Each team's pit station will have a table and power outlet.
For safety and because of insurance regulations, teams cannot build any structure that supports people or
items for storage above the work area in their pit space. No structures should be higher than 10 feet above
the floor and must safely support any signs or displays mounted to the structure. FIRST will require the
removal of any pit structure that is deemed unsafe by event management personnel and local committee
members.

Originally Posted by Cody C

That rule (the bolded part) States that you aren't allowed to have storage above people's heads. That is because if something heavy falls, it will hurt the person below it. The rule doesn't state that you can't support your workspace above a storage area, only that you can't put heavy things above your workspace.

However, the aforementioned rule also states that the structure cannot hold people. So that removes most, if not all, possibilities of creating a second tier/story. But if the second level was to be for storage purposes, then as Cody C says, it would not be allowed to be higher than the work area/above people's heads.

[John Gutmann]

Doesn't it specifically state the structure cannot support PEOPLE above the WORK AREA. Now if you have supplies under you that technically isn't the work area.

[Cuog]

With that rule being read as you are applying to the shorter split level design, it states that no structure can hold storage or people above the work area, if we take that to mean floor then tables would be against the rules. I am pretty sure that the rule is helping to enforce the no dual level pits not isnt going to create a problem with the last 2 pit designs displayed. but when all else fails come january you can always ask in the Q&A rules section.

[UlTiMaTeP]

A sub-floor, Interesting idea. This would be a nice compromise, other than giving teams an extra 5 feet. The problem is the fact that not all teams engineer things to the same quality. FIRST is just trying to cover themselves from legalities. Sadly, most regionals already take on 1-2 lawsuits per regional, which is a sad statistic for gracious professionalism.

[Ronald_raygun]

Originally Posted by FIRST Rulebook Section 7
7.7.4 NEW: Team Stations
These designated spaces help organize team placement and help team members, judges, and visitors find
teams easily. Please keep your numbers visible and aligned. They are set up to be as equal as possible.
Each team's pit station will have a table and power outlet.
For safety and because of insurance regulations, teams cannot build any structure that supports people or
items for storage above the work area in their pit space. No structures should be higher than 10 feet above
the floor and must safely support any signs or displays mounted to the structure. FIRST will require the
removal of any pit structure that is deemed unsafe by event management personnel and local committee
members.

As mentioned by numerous people before me, FIRST does not allow anything go be stored above the work area. FIRST handily did not define the work area, so we can safely assume the work area can be on any plane (i.e. a table and the floor) as long as nothing is above it other than the parts and tools required to do whatever work is needed.

Some of us are familiar with the construction of the Battlebox and other robotic combat arenas. Surely we can figure out some sort of module configuration similar to what you see below.





Each module is 1.5' tall and 2' x 2'. The ones with the translucent flaps on the side(s) are modules meant for the edges/corners. The translucent flaps are the doors for the sides of the modules. The modules that have open sides go in the back and interior. The hole in the top of the module is 2" in diameter and meant for anyone to stick a finger in and remove the entire flap. I decided not to use hinges primarily because the doors could get in the way and they may end up interfering with other modules. The removable floor/door thing would make repairing the module a little bit easier.

Here is what it would probably look like when all assembled together.




If I really wanted to be fancy, it's possible to put walls between the modules so you can set up one 2x2 module section for raw materials, and another 1x2 module section walled off for tools, and a 1x1 module section for buttons, and scouting forms. The possibilities are endless. The walls on the sides are for whatever banners would be put up there. I was thinking of making the entire floor transparent or maybe a little translucent and turning the pit into a disco floor. But that's just me and my crazy imagination.


EDIT: Look up any manufacturers of portable stages, it's basically the concept I want to pursue with this pit. It also helps those teams who's manufacturing capabilities are not top quality.


Any thoughts?

[Pat Fairbank]

Originally Posted by UlTiMaTeP

Sadly, most regionals already take on 1-2 lawsuits per regional, which is a sad statistic for gracious professionalism.

That's interesting; I've never heard anything about litigation involving FIRST regionals before. Can you elaborate?

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by UlTiMaTeP

Sadly, most regionals already take on 1-2 lawsuits per regional, which is a sad statistic for gracious professionalism.

What's the source of that statistic?