My team went for the reversible bumpers again this year (we know we still have to meet the “take bumpers on and off in five minutes” rule). On the corners where the bumpers meet there is a sliver of the opposite color (i.e., a sliver of blue when we are on red side). It’s at most an inch and half wide. Do you think this is an issue/ do we need to make new bumpers? I’m not sure how to post pictures but I will if that’s not enough information.
Our team has never had a problem with a small amount being shown. I’ve even seen one team’s corner bumper be the changed to the other color mid-match and they not be stopped. R26 is the closest rule I can see, but it doesn’t say anything about a sliver being shown.
We’ve had a bit of color showing in the past and it was okay, as long as it is not a question which color you are showing.
To remove doubt, it is easy to add a flap that is “tuckable” for when those colors are sneaking out and showing themselves when you don’t want them to. Just be sure the flap can’t get loose on you.
We’ve had reversible bumpers for several years now and have encountered some inspectors that insist none of the opposite color show, and some that allow small parts to show as long as it is obvious what color is being displayed.
Bring some colored gaffers tape to patch slivers if you get a stricter inspector.
R26. Each ROBOT must be able to display Red or Blue BUMPERS to MATCH their ALLIANCE color, as assigned in the MATCH schedule distributed at the event (as described in Section 10.4.1 Schedule). BUMPER Markings visible when installed on the ROBOT, other than the following, are prohibited:
A. those required per R27,
B. hook-and-loop fastener backed by the hard parts of the BUMPER, and
C. solid white FIRST logos between 4¾ in. (~13 cm) and 5¼ in. wide (~13 cm) (i.e. comparable to those distributed in the 2017 Kickoff Kit).
Emphasis mine.
The rule is very clear here, it says it in black and white. Having any amount of the wrong color showing is a “visible marking” that is not listed as legal above. However, many inspectors and refs may let a sliver go by… but 1.5" wide is not a sliver. That’s a nice sized stripe of the wrong color.
Also please keep in mind the game rules:
G05. Keep your BUMPERS together. ROBOTS must be in compliance with BUMPER Rules
throughout the MATCH.
Violation: FOUL. DISABLED if any BUMPER segment becomes completely detached or the Team number or ALLIANCE color becomes indeterminate.
So that “sliver” may earn you a foul from the refs, even if you pass inspection. Having the bumper flip to the wrong color mid match may result in a disable.
Flip bumpers are great, but teams really do need to take care to make them correctly so they meet all the rules.
If it’s a tiny seam of the wrong color barely peeking out, most people will let that slide, though it is technically not okay.
An inch and a half isn’t a sliver, unfortunately, that’s quite a lot.
Alright, thanks everyone. We’ll be bring additional colored tape and fabric just in case but I think it should be fine-- actually measured and it’s less than half an inch, didn’t quite remember when I made this post originally. Thanks again!
Re: inspection rules – what Jon and Chris said. ::rtm::
On the closely related topic of G5: Referees want to ensure that they are calling every match correctly, and without delay. Even the hint of confusion about which alliance color is responsible for a foul might lead a ref to wave the wrong flag and/or enter the foul incorrectly – possibly requiring the Head Referee to fix that after the match.
Teams are expected to help prevent such situations by complying fully with all the bumper rules. My team used reversible bumpers last year, and had to also use a lot of gaff tape to stay in bumper rule compliance. This year, until we figure out how to sew corner pockets and flaps that completely solve that problem, we will be using single color bumpers.
I suspect if it was enough you felt the need to ask about, you should probably look into a more permanent solution then tape every match.