Below are 2 examples of robots at the start of a match. Also see Examples 3a & 3b.
This is a great way to visualize the rule, but #1 would only be illegal before the match begins.
Just clarification, it would be legal on the gear mechanism side if it starts within the bumpers before the match. It can even go over the bumpers as long as it is still within the robot volume. On the back side, it wouldn’t be legal (unless it does retract).
Maybe I’m interpreting your comment wrong…but seems what you are suggesting is that the gear mechanism could be over the bumpers at the start of the match…which is exactly what this picture is trying to show is illegal…which is true.
All mechanisms must start within the frame perimeter (not robot volume) at the start of the match. See the other picture that was created here: https://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/44305?
He’s saying that, after the start of the match, it can be outside the frame perimeter and even past the bumpers as long as it’s within the applicable volume envelope. i.e. Not only is 1 legal after the start of the match, it’d be legal even if it was past the bumpers–so appearing to use the bumpers as the cutoff could be confusing to some viewers (also applies to your new link). Overall the word “Illegal” alone on the original is misleading, because it’s only illegal at match start rather than in terms of “Robot Size” in general.
This is true for the beginning of the match, but without the picture having a caption making it clear the top photo is legal during a match, this is only going to confuse people and make people think actually legal robots are illegal, I’m afraid.
Correct! See my “Robot Size Example 3a-3b” image.