Abstract: A sawhorse includes a modular work surface supported by a frame. The modular work surface includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion. The modular work surface is configured to move between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. In the compact configuration the first side portion and the second side portion are adjacent to one another to provide a compact worktop and the central portion is positioned beneath the compact worktop. In the expanded configuration, the first side portion and the second side portion are distal to one another and the central portion is positioned therebetween to create an expanded worktop.

Abstract: A sawhorse includes a modular work surface supported by a frame. The modular work surface includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion. The modular work surface is configured to move between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. In the compact configuration the first side portion and the second side portion are adjacent to one another to provide a compact worktop and the central portion is positioned beneath the compact worktop. In the expanded configuration, the first side portion and the second side portion are distal to one another and the central portion is positioned therebetween to create an expanded worktop.

Abstract: A sawhorse includes a modular work surface supported by a frame. The modular work surface includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion. The modular work surface is configured to move between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. In the compact configuration the first side portion and the second side portion are adjacent to one another to provide a compact worktop and the central portion is positioned beneath the compact worktop. In the expanded configuration, the first side portion and the second side portion are distal to one another and the central portion is positioned therebetween to create an expanded worktop.

Abstract: A carriage comprising: a housing able to be slidably mounted on a track, a platform on which can rest an object to be cut by a cutting device mounted on the track, a stop able to stop the object relative to the cutting device while the object rests on the platform, wherein the platform is movable relative to the housing between a raised position and a lowered position wherein the platform is closer to the track than in the raised position, when the housing is slidably mounted on the track.

Abstract: A sawhorse includes a modular work surface supported by a frame. The modular work surface includes a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion. The modular work surface is configured to move between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. In the compact configuration the first side portion and the second side portion are adjacent to one another to provide a compact worktop and the central portion is positioned beneath the compact worktop. In the expanded configuration, the first side portion and the second side portion are distal to one another and the central portion is positioned therebetween to create an expanded worktop.

Abstract: A multi-core plastic optical fiber is used for multi-channel communication purposes. An alignment tool comprising a light source, selective filter and a detachable alignment-tube having a guide notch is provided to map the individual cores of a multi-core plastic optical fiber and prepare the connection of optical transceivers to both exposed ends of a pre-cut length of fiber. The alignment method results in a pre-cut length of fiber having alignment-tubes with guide notches secured to both ends. Transceiver guide projections mate to the notches, creating a complete optical multi-path between the transceiver active elements through the fiber cores. An automatic method of assembling optical transmitters to a multi-core fiber and mating optical receivers uses no alignment tools and tubes. This method dictates a specific placement of the optical transmitters in relation to the cores and receivers, assigning each transmitter to a preferred receiver based on detected light signal criteria.

Abstract: A multi-core plastic optical fiber is used for multi-channel communication purposes. An alignment tool comprising a light source, selective filter and a detachable alignment-tube having a guide notch is provided to map the individual cores of a multi-core plastic optical fiber and prepare the connection of optical transceivers to both exposed ends of a pre-cut length of fiber. The alignment method results in a pre-cut length of fiber having alignment-tubes with guide notches secured to both ends. Transceiver guide projections mate to the notches, creating a complete optical multi-path between the transceiver active elements through the fiber cores. An automatic method of assembling optical transmitters to a multi-core fiber and mating optical receivers uses no alignment tools and tubes. This method dictates a specific placement of the optical transmitters in relation to the cores and receivers, assigning each transmitter to a preferred receiver based on detected light signal criteria.

Abstract: A modular switch, comprising a plurality of backplane sub-buses; a plurality of cards which are each allocated one or more of the backplane sub-buses; and a controller which dynamically allocates the backplane sub-buses to the plurality of cards, based on the bandwidth needs of the cards. Preferably, the bandwidth capacity of substantially all the backplane sub-buses is less than the sum of the maximal transmission bandwidth capacities of the cards.

Abstract: The invention relates to data switching and particularly to a method and apparatus for transferring data arranged in cells across a data switch having at least one input port and a plurality of output ports, the cells each having a data section and address information, the method comprising the steps of sending a control cell from each output port to each input port to indicate whether the respective output port is able to receive data, receiving a data cell at said at least one input port, reading said address information from said received data cell, sending said data cell to each output port indicated by said address information only if said output cell is able to receive data, and otherwise retaining said data cell. The invention is particularly relevant to ATM switching and the B-ISDN protocol.