Abstract:
A removable protective cover system to prevent application of paint on cover plates having electronic outlets and switches, and doorknobs having door handles. The system includes a cover plate cover assembly, and a doorknob cover assembly that is conical in shape.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a system for masking or covering surfaces of articles, to prevent paint or other surfaces from coming in contact with these as protected surfaces and more particularly, to protective covers used to prevent application of paint on cover plates and doorknobs, for electronic outlets and switches, and door handles respectively. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Painting is a time consuming task. And preparing a room for painting also takes time. In some cases, a person will remove cover plates and doorknobs to ensure that paint is not applied to them. However, this is a cumbersome task and eventually the cover plates and doorknobs will be replaced. In addition, removing cover plates leaves outlets exposed that may be dangerous, and removing door handles may make doors unusable. There is a need for a protective cover system for masking or covering surfaces of articles, to prevent paint or other surfaces from coming in contact with these as protected surfaces. 
   Several designs for paint shields have been designed in the past. None of them, however, includes cover plate cover and doorknob cover assemblies to prevent application of paint on cover plate and doorknob assemblies, for electronic outlets and switches, and door handles respectively. 
   Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,656,058 issued to Stark on Apr. 7, 1987 for Paint shields and painting methods. However, it differs from the present invention because Stark teaches self-supporting paint shields that have at an end thereof a continuously annular wall portion defining an opening for receiving a circular object to be shielded. This annular wall portion has around that opening a tapering brim and has across that opening a diameter different from a diameter of that circular object. The annular wall portion is adaptable in diameter to the circular object and is adapted to extend with its tapering brim to a surface to be painted, while the continuously annular wall portion is in contact with the circular object at the mentioned end, thereby exerting a gripping action supporting the paint shield on the circular object. The paint shields preferably have a circumferential bevel extending in a continuous transition from an outer shield surface to the paint shield opening. Such opening preferably is smaller in diameter than the circular object, and the paint shield is twisted at the annular wall portion onto that object. 
   Applicant believes that another close reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,522 issued to Skakun on Oct. 12, 2004 for Paint shield for cover plates for electrical outlets and switches. However, it differs from the present invention because Skakun teaches each of the embodiments of the invention having a rim, a deck and a raised portion on the deck to accommodate switch levers and television cable connectors. The rim fits closely around the perimeter of a cover plate and switch or outlet being shielded. The deck is generally parallel to the surface of the cover. Adhesive is applied to areas of the under surface of the deck which overlie the relatively smooth end areas of the cover plate. The shield has flexibility allowing for deflection under finger pressure to bring the adhesives into contact with the cover plate to securely attach the shield to the cover plate. 
   Applicant believes that another close reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,486 issued to Stark on Sep. 22, 1987 for Paint shields and painting methods. However, it differs from the present invention because Stark teaches self-supporting paint shields that are wound into a spiral having an inside diameter different from a diameter of a raised circular object being shielded and having portions overlapping each others sufficiently to remain overlapping when this wound paint shield is adapted in diameter to a raised circular object. The overlapping portions in the wound paint shield are slidable relative to each other and are adapted to remain slidable relative to each other when the wound paint shield is fitted onto the raised object whereby the overlapping portions of the wound paint shield continue sliding relative to each other until the wound paint shield on the raised object is adapted in inside diameter to such raised object and exerts a gripping action supporting the wound paint shield on the raised object, whereby paint may be applied to a surrounding surface exclusive of the shielded object. 
   Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A removable cover system to prevent application of paint on cover plates and doorknobs, comprising a cover plate cover assembly comprising a first outwardly facing surface and a first inwardly facing surface. The first outwardly facing surface has first and second edges parallel and equally spaced apart from each other by third and fourth edges. The first outwardly facing surface is smooth to effectively repel paint. The cover plate cover assembly also comprises longitudinal lines that are parallel and equally spaced apart from each other by a horizontal borderline, to define first surfaces. The first surfaces may be lifted outwardly from the horizontal borderline at first hinges to facilitate mounting of the cover plate cover assembly upon a cover plate to use at least one switch. The first surfaces comprise second surfaces that may be lifted outwardly along first perforations at second hinges to facilitate mounting of the cover plate cover assembly upon the cover plate to use at least one receptacle. The first inwardly facing surface is matte and porous to effectively adhere to the cover plate. The first inwardly facing surface comprises at least one adhesive tab with wax paper. The wax paper has at least one corner tab to facilitate a user in removing the wax paper from the at least one adhesive tab. The at least one adhesive tab has first adhesive means to keep the cover plate cover assembly securely adhered to the cover plate. 
   The instant invention also comprises a doorknob cover assembly that is conical in shape and abuts to a lock stile of a door. The doorknob cover assembly comprises a second outwardly facing surface and a second inwardly facing surface. The second inwardly facing surface comprises at least one adhesive tab with wax paper. The wax paper has at least one corner tab to facilitate the user in removing the wax paper from the at least one adhesive tab. The at least one adhesive tab has second adhesive means to keep the doorknob cover assembly securely adhered upon a doorknob assembly. 
   The doorknob cover assembly adheres upon a rim of the doorknob assembly, abutting the lock stile of the door. The doorknob cover assembly comprises third surfaces defined by second perforations. The third surfaces may be lifted outwardly along the second perforations at third hinges, to facilitate the mounting of the doorknob cover assembly upon the doorknob assembly having an elongated handle. 
   The doorknob cover assembly comprises a doorknob face having a fourth surfaces that is defined by third perforations. The fourth surfaces may be lifted outwardly along fourth perforations at fourth hinges to facilitate the user to insert a key into the doorknob assembly. 
   The first and second surfaces comprise connectors to connect the second surfaces to the first surfaces, and the first surfaces to each other at the horizontal borderline. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the doorknob cover assembly and the doorknob cover assembly are made of recycled paper material. 
   It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a removable protective cover system for painting applications to prevent application of paint on cover plates and doorknobs, for electronic outlets and switches, and door handles respectively. 
   It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a system that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
   Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of instant invention  10 , wherein cover plate cover assembly  20  is partially covering a prior art switch  461 , and door knob cover assembly  320  is partially covering doorknob assembly  620  and has a prior art key  624  partially inserted in it. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a prior art cover plate  420  and receptacles  432 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a front view of cover plate cover assembly  20 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a rear view of cover plate cover assembly  20 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the cover plate cover assembly  120  and another prior art cover plate  520 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a side view of an uncoiled doorknob cover assembly  320  outwardly facing surface. 
       FIG. 7  shows a side view of the uncoiled doorknob cover assembly  320  inwardly facing surface. 
       FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a coiled doorknob cover assembly  320  mounted on a doorknob assembly  620 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes cover plate cover assembly  20  and doorknob cover assembly  320 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , cover plate cover assembly  20  comprises outwardly facing surface  26  having edges  22  parallel and equally spaced apart from each other by edges  24 . Outwardly facing surface  26  is smooth to effectively repel paint. Longitudinal lines  28  are parallel and equally spaced apart from each other by horizontal border line  34 , all of which form a H-shaped die-cut that define surfaces  31 . Surfaces  31  may be lifted outwardly from horizontal border line  34  at hinges  30 , to facilitate the mounting of cover plate cover assembly  20  upon typical prior art cover plate having a switch, such as switch  461 . Surfaces  32  may be lifted outwardly along their respective perforations  38  at hinges  37 , to facilitate the mounting of cover plate cover assembly  20  upon typical prior art cover plate  420  having receptacles  432 , seen in  FIG. 2 . 
   Also seen in  FIG. 1  is doorknob cover assembly  320 . Doorknob cover assembly  320  is conical in shape, whereby edge  322  is greater in diameter than edge  324 . In use, edge  322  covers a doorknob and in the preferred embodiment, abuts to lock stile  622  of a door, seen in  FIG. 8 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 2 , a typical prior art cover plate  420  exposes receptacles  432 . The majority of cover plates are made in accurate standardized shapes and sizes. Surface  426  of most cover plates expose receptacles  432 . Surface  426  may also be slightly outwardly curved or there may be decorative designs molded into the cover plate  420 . However, in all but a few instances, surface  426  is sufficiently smooth, flat or curved, so that cover plate cover assembly  20  may be employed effectively as a paint shield. 
   Seen in  FIG. 3  is the front view of cover plate cover assembly  20  showing outwardly facing surface  26 . In this illustration, cover plate cover assembly  20  is unused, wherein connectors  39  connect surfaces  32  to surfaces  31 , and surfaces  31  to each other at horizontal borderline  34 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 4 , cover plate cover assembly  20  comprises inwardly facing surface  60 . Inwardly facing surface  60  is matte and porous to effectively adhere to typical prior art cover plate  420 . Located at predetermined areas of inwardly facing surface  60  is wax paper  62 . In the preferred embodiment, wax paper  62  comprises at least one corner tab  66  to facilitate a user in removing wax paper  62  from adhesive tabs  64 , defined as adhesive means. It is noted that corner tabs  66  do not have adhesive matter thereon. Adhesive tabs  64  are covered by wax paper  62  in this illustration. In the preferred embodiment, adhesive tabs  64  have adhesive means such as glue that functions to keep cover plate cover assembly  20  securely adhered upon typical prior art cover plate  420  when employed effectively as a paint shield. 
   Seen in  FIG. 5  is an alternate embodiment cover plate, defined as cover plate cover assembly  120 . It comprises outwardly facing surface  126  having edges  122  parallel and equally spaced apart from each other by edges  124 . Outwardly facing surface  126  is smooth to effectively repel paint. Longitudinal lines  128  are parallel and equally spaced apart from each other by horizontal border line  134 , all of which form a H-shaped die-cut that define surfaces  131 . Surfaces  131  may be lifted outwardly from horizontal border line  134  at hinges  130 , to facilitate the mounting of cover plate cover assembly  120  upon typical prior art cover plate  520  having a switch, such as switch  561 . Surfaces  132  may be lifted outwardly along their respective perforations  138  at hinges  137 , to facilitate the mounting of cover plate cover assembly  120  upon typical prior art cover plate  520  having outwardly facing surface  526  and receptacles  532 . 
   Although not illustrated, it is noted that cover plate cover assembly  120 , seen in  FIG. 5 , also comprises wax paper at predetermined areas of its inwardly facing surface. Similarly as for cover plate cover assembly  20 ; the wax paper comprises at least one corner tab to facilitate a user in removing the wax paper from adhesive tabs, defined as adhesive means. It is noted that the corner tabs do not have adhesive matter thereon. The adhesive tabs have adhesive means such as glue that functions to keep cover plate cover assembly  120  securely adhered upon typical prior art cover plate  520  when employed effectively as a paint shield. 
   For illustrative purposes, connectors  139  are connecting surfaces  132  to surfaces  131 , and one set of surfaces  31  to each other at horizontal borderline  134 . 
   Seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7  is an uncoiled doorknob cover assembly  320 . Doorknob cover assembly  320  is conical in shape and comprises outwardly facing surface  330  and inwardly facing surface  360  defined by edges  322 ,  324 ,  326 , and  328 . At a predetermined area of doorknob cover assembly  320  is surface  332  that is defined by perforations  338 . Surface  332  may be lifted outwardly along perforations  338  at hinge  337 , to facilitate the mounting of doorknob cover assembly  320  upon typical prior art doorknob assembly  620 , having an elongated handle, as seen in  FIG. 8 . Extending from edge  324  is face  339 ′. In the preferred embodiment, face  339 ′ is circular as seen in the illustration. Face  339 ′ comprises surface  332 ′ that is defined by perforations  338 ′. Surface  332 ′ may be lifted outwardly along perforations  338 ′ at hinge  337 ′, to facilitate a user to insert a key, such as key  624 , as seen in  FIG. 8 . 
   At predetermined areas of inwardly facing surface  360  is wax paper  362 . In the preferred embodiment, wax paper  362  comprises at least one corner tab  366  to facilitate a user in removing wax paper  362  from adhesive tabs  364 , defined as adhesive means. It is noted that corner tabs  366  do not have adhesive matter thereon. Adhesive tabs  364  are covered by wax paper  362  in this illustration. In the preferred embodiment, adhesive tabs  364  have adhesive means such as glue that functions to keep doorknob cover assembly  320  securely adhered upon a doorknob assembly  620 , and in the preferred embodiment, abutting to the lock stile  622  when employed effectively as a paint shield. More specifically, the adhesive tabs  364  of inwardly facing surface  360  adhere upon the circular rim of a doorknob that abuts the lock stile  622  of a door, as seen in  FIG. 8 . 
   Extending from outwardly facing surface  330  is tab  365 . It is noted that tab  365  is not adhesive on the side of outwardly facing surface  330 , but it has adhesive tabs  364 , as seen in  FIG. 7  for as additional means to secure doorknob cover assembly  320  upon doorknob assembly  620 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, instant invention  10  is made of recycled paper material such as thin cardboard. 
   The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.