US Patent 7402231 Method and apparatus for partially plating work surfaces

For partially plating work surfaces, a tubular shield member is set around a work which is connected to a cathode, in face to face and in predetermined small gap relation with a non-plating surface or surfaces of a work. In a plating bath, an anode is located on the outer side of the shield member to cover the non-plating surface from the anode. Upon conducting current between the anode and cathode, a metallic coating is deposited specifically and selectively on a work surface or surfaces which are not covered by the shield member.