Could a chassis be a polygon or v shaped or does it need to be rectangular?
It is a possibility to have a non-rectangular chassis, such as the AndyMark Tri-Lambda Drive Platform. You could make a v shaped chassis, but it would be a matter of item (ie. wheels, motors, controller) placement.
http://www.andymark.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=am-0666
I’ve merely skimmed through the manual but does it say anything about the shape in the rules anywhere?
Nemisis
Team 2389
It is possible. Keep bumper rules in mind, though, especially “BUMPERS segments must have a minimum length of six inches” (<R07-D>)
However, a V-shaped robot would not work well with bumper rules. Keep in mind the definition of the frame perimeter - it basically has to be a convex robot.
Basically convex… so roughly?
See Figure 4-3 on page 8 of the robot section of the manual. If the robot was V-shaped, it would be a very small V.
Ah okay. So im looking at the figure and it shows a total gap of 18inches unsupported bumper and its okay but on the other side there is a gap of 10 inches unsupported and its not okay, how is that?
Is it because the gap behind the 10 inch is only 1/4 inch versus 2 inches?
Not sure where you’re getting that 18 inches from. The 10"x1/4" and 7"x2" gaps are independent of each other; the 7" has nothing to do with whether or not that 10" gap is legal.
The difference in legality between the two 10" gaps is the depth. The 10"x1/4" is legal because it is not greater than 1/4" deep. The 10"x2" is illegal because 2">1/4".
While the picutres are pretty, it would help you a lot more if you actaully read the rules. Especially R07 K.
And also while it helps to read, it NEVER hurts to discuss the pictures as well as the written rules.
My bad Karibou i meant 17 inches. But i understand now thanks! 
While that is true, the rules should be read so that the pictures can be understood. I don’t care if a picture says a thousand words, if it’s not saying the exact words, just looking at pictures is not good enough for FRC.
Touche
Reading the rules before posing questions is usually a good thing.
That being said, as long as all other rules followed, any convex polygon would be legal,