Reusable masking device for sprayable bed liner

Abstract

A masking device is provided with a plug including at least one protruding portion, wherein the protruding portion is adapted to engage at least one of an orifice and a deformation in a substrate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A masking device, comprising: 
 a plug including at least one protruding portion,    wherein said protruding portion is adapted to engage at least one of an orifice and a deformation in a substrate.    
     
     
         2 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said plug includes a magnetic insert, and wherein said substrate comprises a metal, said magnetic insert functioning to magnetically hold said masking device on said metal substrate.  
     
     
         3 . The magnetic device according to  claim 1 , wherein said plug comprises a magnetic material.  
     
     
         4 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 50 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said plug.  
     
     
         5 . The masking device according to  claim 4 , wherein said material comprises Teflon.  
     
     
         6 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of plugs, each plug including a protruding portion adapted to engage at least one of an orifice and a deformation in a substrate.  
     
     
         7 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 37 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said plug.  
     
     
         8 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 30 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said plug.  
     
     
         9 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 20 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said plug.  
     
     
         10 . The masking device according to  claim 1 , wherein said plug is configured to overhang a portion of said substrate so as to create a tapered edge of a material sprayed on said substrate.  
     
     
         11 . A truck bed, comprising: 
 a bed;    at least one bushing adjacent to said bed; and    a coating applied over said bed, wherein said coating is applied such that said coating retains said bushing adjacent to said bed.    
     
     
         12 . The truck bed according to  claim 11 , wherein said coating comprises a sprayed polyurethane bed liner.  
     
     
         13 . The truck bed according to  claim 11 , wherein said bushing includes an elongated section adjacent to an upper edge of a channel in said bed.  
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a truck bed liner, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning at least one masking plug having a protruding portion into an orifice of said truck bed;    applying a bed liner material onto said truck bed; and    removing said at least one masking plug.    
     
     
         15 . The method of manufacturing a truck bed liner according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least one masking plug comprises a magnetic material, said magnetic material magnetically holding said at least one masking plug adjacent to said truck bed.  
     
     
         16 . The method of manufacturing a truck bed liner according to  claim 14 , further comprising a step of positioning at least one bushing adjacent to said masking plug prior to the step of positioning at least one masking plug having a protruding portion into an orifice of said truck bed, said masking plug magnetically holding said bushing on said masking plug.  
     
     
         17 . The method of manufacturing a truck bed liner according to  claim 14 , further comprising a step of removing said masking plug.  
     
     
         18 . A truck including a bed liner manufactured by the method according to  claim 14 .  
     
     
         19 . A masking device, comprising: 
 a plug adapted to cover at least one of an orifice and a deformation in a substrate; and    a clip coupled to said plug, said clip being adapted to releasably retain said plug on said substrate.    
     
     
         20 . The masking device according to  claim 19 , wherein said plug and said clip are separate components.  
     
     
         21 . The masking device according to  claim 19 , wherein said plug and said clip are formed as an integral component.  
     
     
         22 . The masking device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 50 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said plug.  
     
     
         23 . The masking device according to  claim 22 , wherein said material comprises Teflon.  
     
     
         24 . The masking device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 37 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said plug.  
     
     
         25 . The masking device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 30 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said plug.  
     
     
         26 . The masking device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 20 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said plug.  
     
     
         27 . The masking device according to  claim 19 , wherein said plug is configured to overhang a portion of said substrate so as to create a tapered edge of a material sprayed on said substrate.  
     
     
         28 . A masking device, comprising: 
 a base portion adapted to cover an area of a substrate; and    a key lock adapted to releasably lock said base portion to said substrate.    
     
     
         29 . The masking device according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 at least one guide leg coupled to said base portion, said at least one guide leg being adapted to engage at least one guide hole within said substrate so as to position said base portion on said substrate.    
     
     
         30 . The masking device according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 at least one spacer coupled to a bottom surface of said base portion so as to create a gap between said bottom surface of said base portion and a top surface of said substrate.    
     
     
         31 . The masking device according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 a shield having a profile of sufficient area so as to shield a rotating portion of said key lock from sprayed material.    
     
     
         32 . The masking device according to  claim 29 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 50 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said base portion.  
     
     
         33 . The masking device according to  claim 32 , wherein said material comprises Teflon.  
     
     
         34 . The masking device according to  claim 29 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 37 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said base portion.  
     
     
         35 . The masking device according to  claim 29 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 30 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said base portion.  
     
     
         36 . The masking device according to  claim 29 , further comprising a material having a surface energy less than about 20 dynes/cm applied to at least a portion of said base portion.  
     
     
         37 . A masking device, comprising: 
 means for masking at least one of an orifice and a depression formed on a substrate; and    means for releasably positioning said means for masking on said substrate.    
     
     
         38 . The masking device according to  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 means for spacing said means for masking from a top surface of said substrate.    
     
     
         39 . The masking device according to  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 means for preventing sprayed material from adhering to said means for masking.    
     
     
         40 . The masking device according to  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 means for rotatably locking said means for masking on said substrate.    
     
     
         41 . A masking device for masking a region on a substrate, comprising: 
 a plug including at least one protruding portion,    wherein said plug is configured to overhang a portion of said substrate so as to create a tapered edge of a material sprayed on said substrate.