Abstract:
A lockable men&#39;s formal wear stud includes: a stud face having a first central axis; a shaft attached to the stud face, having a second central axis in alignment with the first central axis; and a lock bar connected to the shaft at an angle to the second central axis; wherein the lock bar maintains an angular orientation of the shaft, thereby locking the shirt stud.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to clothing, and more specifically, to a lockable men&#39;s formal wear stud. 
         [0002]    Current designs for men&#39;s formal wear studs rotate at will and do not maintain a specific orientation. This would not keep the stud properly oriented if profession, organization or company logos, mascots, trademarks, seals, or other designs were imprinted, inlayed, or embossed on the surface of the stud face. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for a shirt stud that does not rotate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, a lockable stud for a shirt includes: a stud face having a first central axis; a shaft attached to the stud face, having a second central axis in alignment with the first central axis; and a lock bar connected to the shaft at an angle to the second central axis; wherein the lock bar maintains an angular orientation of the shaft, thereby locking the shirt stud. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present invention, a non-rotating shirt stud includes: a stud face; a shaft extending behind and generally perpendicular to the stud face; a lock bar having first and second ends, rotatably connected to the shaft at the first end, adapted to hang down at generally perpendicular angle to the shaft; and a stabilizing nipple proximate to the second end of the shaft, adapted to press against the shirt; wherein the shaft, lock bar, and stabilizing nipple cooperate so as to prevent the stud face from rotating. 
         [0006]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for maintaining orientation of a shirt stud includes: providing a shaft fixed to the shirt stud; providing a lock bar connected to the shaft at a substantial angle; and maintaining the angular orientation of the shaft with the lock bar, thereby maintaining the orientation of the shirt stud. 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0012]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0013]    Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a lockable men&#39;s formal wear stud. 
         [0014]    An embodiment of the present invention includes a lock bar and a stabilizing nipple that engage the button shirt from inside (facing outward) to hold the stud face in a specific position (orientation), thereby keeping any design art from becoming disorientated while the button shirt formal wear stud is being worn. An embodiment will also keep men&#39;s formal wear studs from slipping out of the button holes preventing loss. This is an improved button shirt stud design. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the face of a button shirt formal wear stud can be of traditional design (round, oblong, triangular, oval, square or rectangular). It may be made of any material that is acceptable for men&#39;s formal wear cufflinks and button shirt studs. 
         [0016]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an embodiment of a lockable stud  10  includes a button shirt stud face  12 , shaft  14 , lock bar  16 , stabilizing nipple  18 , and pivot pin  20 . 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the button shirt stud face  12  may have a standard size of approximately 0.5 centimeter to 1.0 centimeter based on the shape of the face. The shaft  14  may be approximately 0.7 centimeter in length and 0.3 centimeter in diameter. The lock bar  16  may be approximately 1.4 centimeters in length, 0.15 centimeter in diameter, and may be installed 0.3 centimeter before the end of shaft  14 . The stabilizing nipple  18  may be installed 0.4 centimeter from the end of lock bar  16 . Stabilizing nipple  18  faces and touches the button shirt when shaft  14  is locked into position. Stabilizing nipple  18  may be approximately 0.15 centimeter in diameter, and protrude 0.2 centimeter from lock bar  16  toward the shirt when worn. The pivot pin  20  is an axle that may have a length of approximately 0.3 centimeter; and diameter of approximately 0.05 centimeter. The pivot pin  20  may be made of stainless steel or other durable, strong, non-corrosive and rust-proof metal. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, shaft  14  is a solid round bar made of steel, metal with silver plating, sterling silver, gold, metal with gold plating, stainless steel, platinum, titanium, or other metal. It has a cut out section [0.15 centimeter in width and 0.3 centimeter in length) removed from the center of the end that is attached to the lock bar  16 . This end of shaft  14  has a hole drilled through it so pivot pin  20  can be inserted through holes in shaft  14  and lock bar  16 . These holes are aligned so lock bar  16  and shaft  14  can be fitted together to allow downward movement in order to lock the lock bar  16  into position holding the stud  10  in proper orientation. The weight of the lock bar  16  may help hold the stud  10  in its proper orientation since gravity will keep the lock bar  16  from moving (left or right) from the downward position. The pivot pin  20  is a bar that provides a pivot point from which the lock bar  16  moves throughout its range of motion in order to lock the stud face  12  in position. The stud face  12  may have a decorative design, and may be precious or semi-precious stone, plastic, metal (semi-precious, precious), pearl, glass, or other various hard or semi-hard surface materials. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of the present invention in use. The shaft  14  passes through the button holes  32  in a man&#39;s formal wear shirt  30 . The lock bar  16  hangs down and the stabilizing nipple  18  press against the inside of the shirt  30  so that the lockable stud  10  does not rotate. 
         [0020]    To use an embodiment of the invention: align button holes in men&#39;s formal wear shirt. Make sure the shaft and lock bar are straight. Insert shaft and lock bar through the shirt button holes as far as possible. Bend the lock bar downward until the inside of the shirt is engaged, to fix the stud in its proper orientation. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, a textured surface could be added to the back of the button shirt stud face to provide double assurance that the stud face stays in a proper orientation and does not turn while in the button hole. The textured surface would press against the shirt from the outside of the shirt around the button hole. 
         [0022]    Other embodiments could be used in women&#39;s or children&#39;s formal wear if a shirt is worn, or it could be worn as desired by anyone. 
         [0023]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.