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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to tools and more particularly relates to guards for preventing surface exposure to paint.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     When painting walls, furniture, or the like, painters often use a variety of tools or mechanisms to prevent paint from contacting nearby surfaces, such as the trim next to a wall. Painters frequently use tape, paint shields, special brushes or rollers and the like to direct the paint to the desired surface and to prevent undesired contact with adjoining surfaces. These mechanisms generally work well for large level surfaces such as base boards and window panes.  
         [0005]     Uneven paint surfaces with small protrusions or indentations, however, present additional problems when painting. First, paint shields and/or brushes usually are not sized to accommodate such conditions, generally leaving the protrusion and/or indentation unprotected during the painting process. Second, tape, which is flimsy and somewhat difficult to apply, can leave a sticky residue and usually does not sufficiently cover uneven surfaces. An example of a protrusion may be a hinge, and an example of an indention may be a mortise.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of one embodiment of a standard hinge  100  and a hinge mortise  110 . The hinge  100  generally includes a plurality of leaves  102 , a joint  104  and/or pin connecting the leaves  102 , holes  106 , and a curved or decorative edge  108 . The holes  106  may facilitate attaching the hinge  100  with a fastener to a surface  120  of an object, such as a door, door jamb, table or the like.  
         [0007]     The mortise  110 , which generally consists of a cut out cavity or an indentation  112  in the surface  120 , corresponds to the leaf  102 , as illustrated, and includes holes  114  that match up with the holes  106  of the hinge  100 . A fastener (not shown) such as a screw or bolt may be inserted through the holes  106  and secured within the mortise holes  114 . The mortise  110  enables the surface  120  to remain substantially flat when the hinge  100  is secured within the mortise  110 .  
         [0008]     Painting around the hinge  100  generally introduces some of the problems mentioned above. A paint shield is typically not sized to fit around the joint  104 , and tape, if applied to the whole hinge  100 , is usually difficult to apply and does not provide a well-defined edge. Paint additionally tends to seep between the hinge  100  and the mortise  110 , essentially gluing the hinge  100  to the mortise  110  permanently, which may not be desirable.  
         [0009]     As an alternative to covering the hinge  100 , the hinge  100  may be removed to prevent contact with the paint. The mortise  110 , however, may be susceptible to damage from the paint. In certain instances, paint accumulated within the mortise  110  fills in the indentation  112 , thus deforming the mortise  110  and preventing proper insertion of the leaf  102 . Particularly in situations where the hinge  100  is positioned between a door and a door jamb, a mal-fitted hinge  100  may cause the door to stick or may even prevent closing the door.  
         [0010]     From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus and method that preserve a mortise by preventing paint from entering the mortise. Beneficially, such an apparatus and method would enable the removal and reinsertion of the corresponding element, such as the hinge  100 , would provide a well-defined edge for painting the surface around the mortise, and would provide a temporary, non-damaging shield such that the corresponding element may be completely restored to its original configuration subsequent to the painting process.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available paint guards. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus and method for preserving a mortise that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.  
         [0012]     The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a guard with an overlay configured to fill a mortise, an edge conforming to an indentation edge of the mortise, and a securing device for securing the overlay within the mortise. The guard prevents paint from entering and damaging the mortise. In certain embodiments, the overlay may be shaped to resemble the leaf of a hinge. In addition, the overlay may comprise a flange to facilitate insertion of the overly within the mortise. In one embodiment, the overlay comprises a textured surface configured to prevent paint from running off of the overlay.  
         [0013]     The securing device may be configured to retain the overlay within the mortise. In one embodiment, the securing device comprises a hole for receiving a fastener. In another embodiment, the securing device comprises a protrusion connected to the overlay. The protrusion may have flexible ridges to secure the protrusion within the hole of the mortise. In certain embodiments, the protrusion comprises an elastomeric plug. In yet another embodiment, the securing device comprises a fastener such as one or more staples, nails, screws, or the like. In a further embodiment, the hole is adapted to interchangeably receive an insert, such that the insert provides a protrusion or a flat plug that blocks the hole. In addition the securing device may comprise an adhesive or the like. Consequently, the overlay may be secured within the mortise during the painting process.  
         [0014]     A method of the present invention is also presented for preserving a mortise. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a guard, placing the guard on top of the mortise, and securing the guard within the mortise. The method also may include painting around the guard and removing the guard from the mortise. Furthermore, the method of the present invention may comprise reusing the guard for preserving a second mortise.  
         [0015]     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0016]     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.  
         [0017]     These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view illustrating a mortise of a hinge;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating one embodiment of a guard in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a guard with a through hole in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the back of the guard of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view illustrating one embodiment of the guard of  FIG. 3  relative to a mortise in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the guard of  FIG. 3  secured to the frame of a door jamb in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a guard with a protrusion in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a side view and a plan view illustrating in greater detail the guard of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a guard with a shaped protrusion in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a side view and a plan view illustrating in greater detail the guard of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a guard with a protrusion having flexible ridges in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a side view and a plan view illustrating in greater detail the guard of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a guard with a split protrusion having flexible ridges in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a side view and a plan view illustrating in greater detail the guard of  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a flat guard in accordance with the present invention  
         [0034]      FIGS. 16-19  are perspective views illustrating various embodiments of a guard configured to cover a bolt hole in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 20  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a mortise preservation method in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0037]     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a guard  200  for preserving the mortise  110  of  FIG. 1 . In the depicted embodiment, the guard  200  includes an overlay  202 , an edge  204 , a securing device  206 , a flange  208 , a textured surface  210 , and a symbolic element  212 . The guard  200  may be sized to resemble the corresponding element that fits within the mortise  110 , such as the hinge leaf  102  in the illustrated embodiment. In one aspect, the guard  200  may resemble a “dummy” corresponding element to prevent paint from filling in the indentations  112  or from contacting the mortise  110 . The guard  200  may have any size or shape to correspond to the mortise  110 .  
         [0039]     In the depicted embodiment, the overlay  202  is a thin, rectangular plate with a lip-like fin or flange  208  extending at an obtuse angle from one side. The flange  208  extends the length of the overlay  202 . The opposing side of the overlay  202  has a straight edge  204  that transitions at radial corners to perpendicular top and bottom edges  204 . The securing device  206  comprises a countersink hole disposed centrally within the overlay  202 . The counter sink hole may be positioned centrally relative to the length of the overlay  202 . In one embodiment, given by way of example, the overlay  202  is 1.125 inches wide by 3.480 inches long.  
         [0040]     The overlay  202  may be made from any material suitable for preventing paint from contacting the mortise  110 . In certain embodiments, the overlay  202  may be a rigid or semi-rigid material. In one embodiment, the overlay  202  is made from a biodegradable plastic. In an alternative embodiment, the overlay  202  may be made of an elastomeric material or rubber. In a contemplated embodiment, the overlay  202  may be made from wood or metal. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable materials are not limited to those described.  
         [0041]     The guard  200  may be intended for single use or may be reusable. The material may be selected to resist paint accumulation such that the user may be able to easily clean the guard  200 . Alternatively, the guard  200  may be disposable.  
         [0042]     As mentioned, the overlay  202  may be sized to match to the corresponding element of the mortise  110 . Consequently, the edge  204  of the overlay  202  may correspond to the edge  108  of the leaf  102  or the like in order to create a tight fit within the mortise  110 .  
         [0043]     In certain embodiments, the edge  204  may be formed into a variety of shapes to fit a specific mortise  110 . In one embodiment, the overlay  202  is made from a semi-rigid material that may be cut with a razor or the like, thereby enabling the user to shape the edge  204  to correspond with a specific mortise  110 . In certain embodiments, the overlay  202  may comprise multiple sections that fit together to fill the mortise  110 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that the overlay  202  may be constructed from a variety of materials and that the edge  204  may be formed or modified using a variety of methods.  
         [0044]     The guard  200  may further include the securing device  206  to secure the overlay  202  within the mortise  110 . In the depicted embodiment, the securing device  206  comprises a hole  206  disposed within the overlay  202  that is substantially aligned with the hole(s)  114  of the mortise  110 . As a result, the guard  200  may be secured to the mortise  110  with a fastener such as a screw or the like.  
         [0045]     Alternatively, the overlay  202  may comprise one or more protrusions, which will be discussed in greater detail with relation to  FIGS. 7-19 . In one embodiment, the overlay  202  is flat and is secured to the mortise  110  with a nail, staple, adhesive or the like, which will be discussed with relation to  FIG. 15 .  
         [0046]     In a contemplated embodiment, the securing device  206  enables the guard to be easily secured to and removed from the mortise  110  without permanently altering the mortise  110 . In addition, the securing device  206  and/or the guard  200  preferably do not obstruct or cover the surface  120  designated to be painted. In certain embodiments, the overlay  202  may be secured with an adhesive or the like, in addition to or in place of another type of fastener. In one embodiment, the back of the overlay  202  may be coated with an adhesive or bonding agent, which may be protected by a peel-off backing.  
         [0047]     The flange  208  may be disposed on the overlay  202  and may facilitate insertion and removal of the guard  200  by providing a handle or grip for the user. In certain embodiments, the flange  208  extends the length of the overlay  202 . Alternatively, the flange  208  may span a portion of the overlay  202 . In one embodiment, the flange  208  is attached to the top surface of the overlay  202 . The flange  208  may be molded with the overlay  202  in certain embodiments. Alternatively, the flange  208  may be made separately and may be attached to the overlay  202 .  
         [0048]     In one embodiment, the flange  208  is removable and may include a fastener such as a snap, hook, hook and loops, or the like. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the flange  208  may be made from a variety of materials and may be disposed on the overlay  202  in a variety of positions and/or configurations and is not, therefore, limited to the illustrated embodiments.  
         [0049]     The overlay  202  may include the textured surface  210  or the like to facilitate the painting process. The textured surface  210  may prevent paint from conglomerating and running or dripping onto the painted surface  120 . In one embodiment, the surface of the overlay  202  is coated with a textured residue. Alternatively, the surface of the overlay  202  may be roughened or imprinted with a textured pattern.  
         [0050]     The guard  200  may further include a symbolic element  212 , such as a logo, company information, labels, product discounts, instructions, etc., to present a message. In one embodiment, the symbolic element  212  is molded into the overlay  202 . In an alternative embodiment, the symbolic element  212  is printed on a label or the like and attached to the guard  200  after the manufacturing process. In certain embodiments, the symbolic element  212  enables the paint guard  200  to function as an advertisement to promote a business and/or its products.  
         [0051]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of a guard  300  with an overlay  302 , an edge  304 , a hole  306 , and a flange  308 . The overlay  302  may comprise a flat back surface  310  for contacting the mortise  110 . The hole  306  may comprise a countersink hole  306  that extends through the overlay  302  to facilitate securing the guard  300  within the mortise  110  with a fastener. In certain embodiments, the guard  300  may comprise any number of holes  306 , preferably not to exceed the number holes  114  in the selected mortise  110 . The hole(s)  306  may be any variety of types and/or sizes. Alternatively, the guard  300  may be flat without any holes  306 . In such an embodiment, the guard  300  may be attached with an adhesive and/or with staples, nails, self-tapping screws or the like. Likewise, the guard  300  may have hole(s)  306  adapted to interchangeably receive an insert. The insert could be a protrusion  706  of  FIG. 7 , a protrusion with flexible ridges  1106  of  FIG. 11 , an adhesive plug, or a flat plug designed to fill the hole  306 .  
         [0052]     In one embodiment, the guard  300  may be configured to fit within the mortise (not shown) of a door jamb designated for receiving the bolt of a door lock. In such an embodiment, the guard  300  may comprise a pair of holes  306  to align with the holes of the mortise. Alternatively, the guard  300  may comprise a protrusion and/or a tenon to fit into the bolt cavity as illustrated in  FIGS. 16-19 . The guard  300  may be configured to fit into a variety of mortises and is not, therefore, limited to the mortises of hinges or door jambs as discussed.  
         [0053]     In the depicted embodiment, the flange  308  is attached to the side of the overlay  302  at an angle  312 . In an alternative embodiment, the flange  308  may extend directly from the overlay  302 . In one embodiment, the flange  308  may comprise a knob in the center of the overlay  302  or the like.  
         [0054]      FIG. 4  illustrates a back view of the guard  300  of  FIG. 3 . The back surface  310  may be flat to facilitate a tight fit within the mortise  110 . The edges  304  may further be shaped to correspond to the mortise  110 . In addition, the thickness of the overlay  302  may or may not correspond to the thickness of the leaf  102  or the corresponding element. Adhesive or the like may be applied to the back surface  310  as discussed.  
         [0055]      FIG. 5  illustrates the guard  300  of  FIG. 3  relative to the mortise  110  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The guard  300  fits within the mortise  110  and may be secured with a fastener through the hole  306  and the hole  114 . The guard  300  fills the mortise  110 , preventing paint from entering the mortise  110 . The edge  304  may provide a defined edge for painting the surface  120 . In addition, the edge  304  may or may not be filleted to accommodate errors in the manufacture of the mortise  110 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the guard  300  attached to the frame  602  of a door jamb  600 . The frame  602  may comprise a mortise  604 , which may be similar to the mortise  110  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 . The guard  300  may be attached to the door frame  602  with a screw  606  or the like through the countersink hole  306 . The flange  308  may be used to stabilize the guard  300 . In one embodiment, when the guard  300  is secured within the mortise  604 , the guard  300  fills in the indentation  112  to create a substantially even surface  608  with the frame  602 , thereby protecting the mortise  604 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a guard  700  with a protrusion  706 . The guard  700  may include an overlay  702 , a curved edge  704 , a securing device or protrusion  706 , a flange  708 , and a flat back surface  710 . The protrusion  706  may be disposed on the back surface  710  of the overlay  702  and may correspond to the hole  114  of the mortise  110 . The protrusion  706  may be formed integral with the overlay  702  or may be fabricated separately and then attached to the overlay  702 . In one embodiment, the protrusion  706  is made of an elastomer and formed into an elastomeric plug  706 . In another embodiment, the protrusion  706  is made of molded plastic. In a contemplated embodiment, the protrusion  706  has a gripping quality to facilitate securing the overlay  702  within the mortise  110 . The protrusion  706  may eliminate the need for an additional fastener.  
         [0058]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side view  801  and a plan view  803  of the protrusion  706  of  FIG. 7 . The protrusion  706  may be conical and sized to fit within the hole  114 . In a contemplated embodiment, the protrusion  706  secures the overlay  702  within the mortise  110  without damaging the mortise  110  or the hole  114 .  
         [0059]      FIG. 9  illustrates one embodiment of a guard  900  with a shaped protrusion  906 . The guard  900  may include an overlay  902 , a curved edge  904 , a securing device or protrusion  906 , a flange  908 , and a back surface  910 . As mentioned, the protrusion  906  may be disposed on the back surface  910  of the overlay  902  and may correspond to the hole  114  of the mortise  110 . The protrusion  906  may be shaped, such as to resemble a square, cross, star, diamond, octagon, or the like, in order to create a tension fit within the hole  114 . In addition, the overlay  902  may comprise as many protrusions  906  as holes  114  available in the mortise  110  in certain embodiments. Furthermore, if the mortise  110  comprises a larger cavity, such as for a door bolt, for example, the protrusion  906  may be sized to create a tension fit within the cavity.  
         [0060]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view  1001  and a plan view  1003  of the protrusion  906  of  FIG. 9 . The protrusion  906  may include extensions  1002 , which may form a cross, and may be sized to fit within the hole  114 . The protrusion  906  facilitates securing the overlay  902  within the mortise  110 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 11  illustrates one embodiment of a guard  1100  with a protrusion  1106  with ridges  1112 . The guard  1100  may include an overlay  1102 , a curved edge  1104 , a securing device or protrusion  1106 , a flange  1108 , and a back surface  1110 . The ridges  1112  may be flexible and may provide additional surface area for gripping or for providing tension within the hole  114 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view  1201  and a plan view  1203  of the protrusion  1106  of  FIG. 11 . The ridges  1112  may protrude from the protrusion  1106  and may be angled to enable easy insertion of the protrusion  1106  within the hole  114 . The ridges  1112  may flare out to provide tension, thereby preventing the protrusion  1106  from accidentally falling out of the hole  114 . Yet, the guard  1100  may be easily removed with applied force. In addition, the flexible ridges  1112  may grip the threads of the hole  114  for anchorage, but may be removed without damaging the original structure of the hole  114 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 13  illustrates one embodiment of a guard  1300  with a protrusion  1306  with ridges  1312 . The guard  1300  may include an overlay  1302 , a curved edge  1304 , a securing device or protrusion  1306 , a flange  1308 , and aback surface  1310 . The ridges  1312  may be similar to ridges  1112  illustrated in  FIGS. 11-12 . In the depicted embodiment, the protrusion  1306  is divided into sections  1314 . Sections  1314  may contribute to the flexible nature of the protrusion  1306 . In certain embodiments, the sections  1314  may be adjustable to adapt to different-sized holes  114 . In one embodiment, the sections  1314  may be implemented with a rail and locking system to adjust the position and the lock the section  1314  into place. In certain embodiments, the section  1314  may be used in conjunction with a spring to position the section  1314  against the interior of the hole  114  or the like.  
         [0064]      FIG. 14  illustrates a side view  1401  and a plan view  1403  of the protrusion  1306  of  FIG. 13 . The sections  1314  may provide greater flexibility in inserting the protrusion  1306  into the hole  114 . The space between the sections  1314  enables the sections  1314  to give inward and flex back to engage the interior of the hole  114  with a tight friction fit. The sections  1314  may be made of a flexible material to enable the protrusion  1306  to fit into variously-sized holes  114 .  
         [0065]      FIG. 15  illustrates one embodiment of a flat guard  1500  without holes  306  or protrusions  706 . The guard  1500  may include an overlay  1502 , a curved edge  1504 , a flange  1508 , and a back surface  1510 . The guard  1500  may form a friction fit within the mortise  110 . In certain embodiments, the edge  1504  may comprise an elastomer lining, protrusion, or the like to grip the interior of the indentation  112 , thereby securing the guard  1500  within the mortise  110 . Alternatively, the flat guard  1500  may be secured to the mortise  110  with one or more staples, nails, screws, an adhesive, a protrusion disposed on the edge  1504 , or the like. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the guard  1500  may be secured within the mortise  110  using a various methods and mechanisms.  
         [0066]      FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17  illustrate one embodiment of a guard  1600  suitable for covering a mortise of a bolt hole or the like. The guard  1600  as depicted includes an overlay  1602 , a curved edge  1604 , securing device or protrusion  1606 , a flange  1608 , and a back surface  1610 . The overlay  1602  and the curved edge  1604  may be configured to fill the mortise of a doorjamb for receiving a bolt. In the depicted embodiment, the securing device  1606  comprises a protrusion from the overlay  202  sized similar to a bolt, which may be inserted into the bolt hole. As discussed above, the securing device  1606  may be any mechanism suitable for securing the overlay  1602  within the mortise.  
         [0067]      FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19  illustrate various embodiments of securing devices for securing a guard  1800  and a guard  1900  respectively within a mortise. The guard  1800  includes an overlay  1802  with a protruding, hollowed-out securing device  1806  configured to fit within a bolt hole. The guard  1900  includes a plurality of protrusions  1906  to retain the overlay  1902  within the mortise. The protrusions  1906  may be adjustable to fit various sizes of holes.  
         [0068]     The schematic flow chart diagram that follows is generally set forth as a logical flow chart diagram. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.  
         [0069]      FIG. 20  illustrates one embodiment of a mortise preservation method  2000  in accordance with the present invention. The method  2000  may begin  2002  and may include providing  2004  a guard, placing  2006  the guard over a mortise, securing  2008  the guard within the mortise, painting  2010  around the guard, and removing  2012  the guard from the mortise. The method  2000  enables a surface  120  near a mortise  110  to be painted without damaging the mortise  110 . Reference may be made to  FIGS. 1-19  to illustrate the method  2000  in greater detail, but does not limit the scope of the method  2000 .  
         [0070]     In one embodiment, a guard such as the guard  200  is provided  2004  and is shaped to correspond with the mortise  110  of the hinge  100 . The edges  204  of the overlay  202  may provide a close fit with the wall or indentation  112  of the mortise  110 . Subsequently, the guard  200  may be placed  2006  over the mortise  110 . In certain embodiments, the outer surface of the overlay  202  lies even with the surrounding surface  120 . The flange  208  may facilitate placing  2006  the guard over the mortise  110 . The hole  206  or the protrusion  706  or the like may facilitate securing  2008  the guard  200  within the mortise  110 . Alternatively, the guard  200  or guard  1500  may be secured with an adhesive, staples, nails, or the like. Moreover, the edge  204  may additionally be secured to the wall or indentation  112 , in certain embodiments, using fasteners, adhesives, protrusions, linings, or the like.  
         [0071]     The user may paint  2010  around or over the guard  200  in certain embodiments. The paint may be allowed to dry before removing  2012  the guard  200  from the mortise  110 . In certain embodiments, the fastener  606  may be removed before removing  2012  the guard  200 . The method may further comprise reusing  2014  the guard to preserve a second mortise. Then the method  2000  ends  2016 .  
         [0072]     The indentation  112  of the mortise  110  remains free of paint, and the hinge  100  or other corresponding element may be replaced within the mortise  110 . In certain embodiments, the guard  200  may be discarded or recycled. Alternatively, the guard  200  may be saved for further use. The surface  120  may be painted with well-defined edges and without damaging the mortise  110  or the corresponding element.  
         [0073]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Summary:
An apparatus and method are used for preserving a mortise. A guard for preserving a mortise includes an overlay configured to fill the mortise, an edge conforming to an indentation edge of the mortise, and a securing device configured to removeably attach the overlay within the mortise. The guard may further comprise a flange disposed on the overlay for placing and removing the guard from the mortise. The securing device may be configured for receiving a fastener or may include a protrusion configured to be received in a hole disposed in the mortise. The guard advantageously prevents paint from entering and damaging the mortise. A method for preserving a mortise includes providing a guard configured to fill the mortise, placing the guard on top of the mortise, and securing the guard within the mortise. Beneficially, the guard and method for preserving a mortise protects a mortise from exposure to paint.