Patent ID: 7377980

Claim:
A self-adjusting masking plug adapted to be received in a region of a complex part intended to be masked, the masking plug comprising: a plug body adapted to be received within a region of the complex part intended to be masked, the plug body comprising, a first body half having at least one first perimeter wall conforming to a first portion of the intended region to be masked; a second body half having at least one second perimeter wall conforming to a second portion of the intended region to be masked; a wishbone spring formed internally within the plug body such that it interconnects the first and second body halves, the wishbone spring comprising, a first half inner wall transversely spanning and interconnecting portions of the at least one first perimeter wall; a second half inner wall transversely spanning and interconnecting portions of the at least one second perimeter wall; a common rib interconnecting the first and second inner walls; and at least one overhang panel integrally formed on top of the masking plug for masking areas adjacent the masking plug; wherein the masking plug is adapted to be inserted into the region of the complex part intended to be masked, and further adapted to expand or compress depending on the tolerances of the part.