Patent ID: 7516696

Claim:
A rocker machine comprising: (a) a table having a substantially flat surface for supporting a plate having an engravable surface, wherein the table is disposed at an angle A to a horizontal plane; (b) a rocker assembly comprising a plurality of rockers, one or more lateral members and a cross arm, wherein each rocker has a plurality of teeth arranged along a curved edge and comprises a rocker arm pivoted from the cross arm, and wherein each rocker is capable of rocking along the curved edge substantially in a plane P and is movable along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane P, and wherein each lateral member has a proximal and a distal end and is attached at the proximal end to the rocker arm or to the cross arm, and wherein each lateral member is adapted for reciprocal translation along a horizontal axis and moveable along an axis substantially perpendicular to plane P; and (c) a guide assembly comprising a means for guiding each lateral member along an axis S substantially perpendicular to the plane P and disposed at an angle B to a horizontal plane; wherein the cross arm is reciprocally moveable in a horizontal direction substantially in the plane P or parallel thereto sufficient to permit each rocker to rock along its curved edge causing the teeth to penetrate the surface of the plate along the direction of rocking and along the axis S substantially perpendicular to the plane P thereby producing indentations and burrs in the plate.