Rules as written:
4.2.4. No Wedges. Sides of a bot within 1 inch of the floor must be perpendicular to the floor. If your bot can drive in multiple positions (i.e. inverted), your bot must comply in each of these positions. Unusually shaped bots that do not meet the letter of this rule, but that do not contain wedge-like surfaces may be allowed on a case by case basis.
4.2.4.1. While a large plate extending from the bot that is flat or nearly flat to the floor such as in the bots Alf or Zok may satisfy the rule as described above, it will also not be allowed. This or any other static device which has the purpose of removing the opponent's wheels from the arena floor is not allowed.
4.2.4.2. You must also use care when designing your weapon so that the weapon does not violate the no wedge rule. A weapon which requires a small slope below 1 inch or a small plate that is flat to the floor in order to function will be allowed at the discretion of the officials.
4.2.4.3. Example: A lifter, flipper, or clamping weapon.
4.2.4.4. However this must be kept within reason.
4.2.4.5. Example: A lifter with an actuated wedge-like surface that extends for a significant portion of the bot's width will not be allowed.
4.2.5. Lifting, Flipping and Grabbing Weapons. An articulated “spatula”, parallel to the floor is allowed, provided that it complies with the “no wedge” rule. (4.2.4)
The main goal of this discussion is to come up with an update to the rules such that there isn't a need for bots to be approved on a case by case basis while still preserving the overall goal of the sportsman class-
The intent of the Sportsman Class is to encourage novel designs and driving ability. The focus of this class is fun and creativity, not the annihilation of your opponent. Robots must comply with both the letter and spirit of these rules to qualify for this class.
So, how do we define wedge vs. not wedge.
Bots like Uberclocker, LockJaw, Gigarange, Nyx, and most other flippers are all flirting with the edges of the rules as written and could, depending on who is interpreting them, be considered in violation of the rule.
Some initial thoughts:
Static and powered plates/wedges/etc(hereafter referred to as wedge-like surfaces) fall under different design requirements.
Specific, measurable limits to the width and thickness of wedge-like surfaces.
Minimum spacing between wedge-like surfaces to not count as a single, wider wedge-like surface
Potential definitions for a banned Wedge-like Surface:Unpowered wedge at any width or unpowered flat plane consisting of elements greater than 6" in combined width.
- Combined width is defined as the total width of elements of the same system that have less than 8" of spacing between the outer two most elements of the system - For example, two prongs of a fork that are 1" wide each, spaced with a 6" gap would have an 8" combined width and would thus be illegal. If the spacing were 4" instead, the combined width would be 6" and therefore legal.
Unpowered flat plane elements must be in some way necessary to the functionality of the weapon system.
- The forks on LockJaw, which are a required structural element of the crusher would be legal. Additionally, outriggers like on Nyx or Uberclocker would be legal as they are spaced more than 8" apart and as such only have their individual widths counted.
The sum of all combined widths may not exceed 6".
- You can have a single 6" combined width element, two 3" combined width elements, or 3 2" combined width elements, however you can't have 2 combined width elements of any size greater than 3" each.
Flat plane style attachments may not be more than 1" tall for the portion of their length that is likely to interact with other robots.
Powered wedge-like elements fall under the same restrictions with the following alterations:
- The maximum combined width for powered flat plane elements is 10"
- The spacing for determining combined width is 10"
- Actuated spikes or similar objects that when at rest on the ground result in a greater than 10deg. angle may be a maximum of 1" wide.
- The sum of the width of all actuated spikes may not exceed 1".
If you can think of any loopholes or suggestions, post them. The numbers above are more for illustration than specific proposed values.