pic: Bumper idea - legal?

[m^3]

loading photo ...

[Jared Russell]

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.

[BrendanB]

That is really cool! Agree with Jared, if it works out put a bolt on there to help hold it!

Very smart idea!

[Alan Anderson]

That's a great idea. Please get an official answer from the GDC on whether it satisfies the bumper rules.

[Coach Norm]

Great idea. I will be interested in what the GDC rules.

You could put a grommet in the flap on each side and have a bolt that goes through the grommet to hold it in place.

[IndySam]

What a great idea. I hope this gets approved.

[Bharat Nain]

Genius. Love it.

[vhcook]

That's a very elegant solution. I love it.

[Jones571]

hope they approve this it is a great idea

[m^3]

Thanks for the feedback. We'll probably back up the velcro with grommets or something similar. The only downside I can think of is it coming loose and leaving the bumper zone.

I haven't been able to post this to Q&A yet (I need to get our login information), but feel free to use my picture and ask them yourself.

[EricH]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that while this is an ingenious idea, it probably won't be approved. Quoting <R12>, "Therefore, each ROBOT must be able to display red BUMPERS and blue BUMPERS This may be done via either of two acceptable methods:" and then it goes on to list the methods.

What they don't say is if any other method is acceptable. That's what I'd ask. If I had Q&A access, I would say something like: "We have found another method to change bumper color. We would like to know if we are allowed to use this method. [describe method] If this is not legal, we would also like to know which rule it specifically violates."

Like I say, I'm not sure this method would go through, but I'd love it if it did. I'd also use the grommet attachment suggested.

[Rion Atkinson]

Has anyone posted this on the Q&A yet? I am my team's Q&A guy, so I will gladly do it if the OP has yet to gain access to the Q&A. I would actually just copy the picture and use Eric's question format. lol

-Rion

[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.