Abstract: A speed variator comprises a bell-shaped body (5) forming a frustoconical rolling surface (6) able to rotate about its own axis of symmetry (Y), a wheel (7) able to rotate about a second axis (W) and engaged by rolling with the rolling surface (6) to allow the transmission of a driving torque between the wheel (7) and the bell-shaped body (5), and an actuator (9) acting between the wheel (7) and the bell-shaped body (5) for moving the wheel (5) and the bell-shaped body (7) towards and/or away from each other in such a way as to make the wheel (7) engage with different portions of the rolling surface (6). The rolling surface (6) and the second axis (W) converge in a point (P).

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively advancing and/or rotating an elongate device, includes a carrier mounted for rotation about a primary axis and a pair of opposed rollers on the carrier adapted to drive the device in a direction along the primary axis. A mechanism drives at least one of the rollers has a first gear and a second gear. A first input selectively rotates the second gear in first or second directions to advance or retract the elongate device. A second input selectively rotates the carrier in first and second directions to rotate the elongate device. The operation of the second input alone simultaneously rotates and advances/retracts the elongate device, and the coordinated operation of the first and second inputs rotates the elongate device without advancement/retraction.

Abstract: A printing unit of an offset printing press includes a first plate cylinder, a first blanket cylinder for selectively contacting the first plate cylinder, a first inker for inking the first plate cylinder, a second plate cylinder, a second blanket cylinder for selectively contacting the second plate cylinder, and a second inker for inking the second plate cylinder. A first inker drive gear connects to the first inker for driving the first inker, and a motor uniquely associated with the printing unit is configured to drive the first inker drive gear. In addition, a gear train engaging the first inker drive gear is driven by the first inker drive gear so as to drive the first plate cylinder, the first blanket cylinder, the second blanket cylinder, the second plate cylinder and the second inker.