Diamond insert stud for a drag bit

Claim 1

A man-made diamond insert stud for a diamond drag bit, said drag bit having a multiplicity of said studs extending from the face of said bit, said stud comprising: a substantially cylindrical solid insert stud body having a first cutter end and a second base end, and a circumferential, radially extending shoulder substantially 90° to an axis of said stud is formed in said cylindrical body positioned between said first cutter end and said second base end of said body, said shoulder radially extends beyond any portion of said first cutter end and substantially encircles said cutter end, said shoulder, integral with said stud, serves to provide a contact and datum surface for insert stud alignment and insertion means so that said stud may be inserted in said face of said drag bit without damage to said first cutter end of said insert stud body, said stud body further including an axially aligned female slot formed in said cylindrical body in said radially extending circumferential shoulder between said shoulder and said second base end of said stud, said slot serves as an alignment guide for said stud insertion means.