US Patent 6927341 Universal paint shield

A universal paint shield for releasable attachment to an electrical wall outlet or switch assembly for preventing paint from contacting any exposed surfaces thereof as the wall is painted. The paint shield has a molded plastic body formed as a unit having a front panel and top, bottom and side walls projecting rearward of the front panel and having substantially continuous outer edge portions. At least two opposing edge portions biasingly engage against the corresponding outer edge surfaces of the cover plate to entirely cover all surfaces of the cover plate and assembly. Top, bottom and side walls resiliently cooperate with edge portions which have concaved or arcuately inwardly contoured longitudinal edges to require that the edge sections, slightly smaller than the cover plate, be force fitted over the corresponding outer edge surfaces of the cover plate. The front panel preferably includes a forwardly extending offset central portion which defines an enlarged clearance cavity adapted to provide clearance for substantially all types of exposed components of such electrical wall assemblies.