Masking tools and methods
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorDavid M. Dembeck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A masking tool includes a body portion; a masking portion supported by the body portion, the masking portion having an engagement surface sized to fit a periphery of the opening; and a retention member extending from the body portion, the retention member being positioned to engage a surface of the recess to retain at least a portion of the body portion within the recess and to maintain the engagement surface of the masking portion against the periphery of the opening.
Claims24
A masking tool for masking an opening in a structure, wherein the opening borders a recess in the structure, the masking tool comprising:
- a body portion;
- a masking portion supported by the body portion, the masking portion comprising an engagement surface sized to fit a periphery of the opening;
- and
- a retention member extending from the body portion, the retention member being positioned to engage a surface of the recess to retain at least a portion of the body portion within the recess and to maintain the engagement surface of the masking portion against the periphery of the opening.
A masking tool for masking an opening in a structure, wherein the opening borders a recess in the structure, the masking tool comprising:
- a body portion to position and secure the body portion within the recess in the structure;
- a masking portion supported by the body portion, the masking portion comprising an engagement surface sized to fit a periphery of the opening;
- a retention member extending from the body portion, the retention member being positioned to engage a surface of the recess to retain at least a portion of the body portion within the recess and to maintain the engagement surface of the masking portion against the periphery of the opening;
- and
- the retention member constructed to resiliently deform from a non-retaining initial configuration to a compliant retaining configuration while engaging the surface of the recess and resiliently returning towards the initial configuration after the body portion is in an attached position.
A method of masking an opening in a structure, wherein the opening borders a recess located within the structure, the method comprising:
- incorporating a body portion into an opening in a masking portion to form a masking tool, the masking portion being pliable;
- mounting the body portion of the masking tool into the opening in the structure;
- conforming an engagement surface of the masking portion to a periphery of the opening in the structure while inserting the body portion of the masking tool into the recess in the structure;
- and
- advancing the body portion of the masking tool for a deformable retention member extending from the body portion to engage a surface of the recess to retain the masking portion in a position relative to the opening in the structure.
22-26. (canceled)
A method of masking an opening in a structure, wherein the opening borders a recess located within the structure, the method comprising:
- mounting a masking tool into the opening in the structure;
- advancing the masking tool into the recess for a resiliently deformable retention member extending from the masking tool to engage structure of the recess to retain a masking portion of the masking tool in a position relative to the opening in the structure;
- conforming a pliable engagement surface of the masking tool to a periphery of the opening in the structure;
- applying paint to areas of the structure where the masking tool is not mounted and inhibiting application of paint where the masking tool is mounted;
- removing the masking tool from the opening in the structure by applying a force to the masking tool in a direction away from the structure;
- and
- reusing the masking tool by mounting the masking tool into another opening in a structure.
28-30. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.