Paint mask

A paint mask for protecting an area from paint which is being applied to an adjacent or nearby area, the paint mask comprising:

• a plurality of suction cups formed of an elastic, substantially gas-impermeable material, each suction cup having a concave inner surface and an outer surface;
• a flange formed of an elastic, substantially gas-impermeable material, the flange being attached to each suction cup and having a lower surface sized and shaped, in combination with the inner surfaces of the suction cups, to cover the area to be protected;
• and
• a plurality of channels in the lower surface of the flange, the surface of each channel being continuous with the concave inner surface of one of the suction cups;
• wherein, upon placing the paint mask on the surface to be protected an enclosed space is defined for each suction cup, that space being defined by the concave inner surface of that suction cup, the surfaces of the channels having surfaces continuous with the concave inner surface of that suction cup, and the surface to be protected;
• and
• a partial vacuum can be created in each enclosed space by pressing on the outer surface of each suction cup to force a portion of the air contained in the enclosed space out of the enclosed space, followed by releasing the outer surface of each suction cup.

A method of painting a window frame containing a window pane, the method comprising the steps of:

• (1) providing a paint mask for protecting the window pane from paint, the paint mask comprising:
• a plurality of suction cups formed of an elastic, substantially gas-impermeable material, each suction cup having a concave inner surface and an outer surface;
• a flange formed of an elastic, substantially gas-impermeable material, the flange being attached to each suction cup and having a lower surface sized and shaped, in combination with the inner surfaces of the suction cups, to cover the window pane;
• and plurality of channels in the lower surface of the flange, the surface of each channel being continuous with the concave inner surface of one of the suction cups;
• wherein, upon placing the paint mask on the window pane, an enclosed space is defined for each suction cup, that space being defined by the concave inner surface of that suction cup, the surfaces of the channels having surfaces continuous with the concave inner surface of that suction cup and the surface of the window pane;
• (2) trimming the flange of the paint mask on one or more sides to form an outer edge;
• (3) placing the trimmed paint mask over the window pane with the outer edge abutting the window frame, such that the entire surface of one side of the window pane is shielded from paint application;
• (4) creating a partial vacuum in the enclosed space by pressing on the outer surface of each suction cup to force a portion of the air contained in the enclosed space out of the enclosed space, followed by releasing the outer surface of each suction cup;
• and
• (5) applying paint to the window frame abutting the outer edges of the paint mask.