Concrete anchor

Abstract

A concrete anchor and a method of using such an anchor is disclosed where the anchor comprises a tube having a mounting flange and a retention feature. The tube is encased in concrete and a bar is subsequently secured within the tube such that an exposed end of the bar can be encased in a subsequent concrete formation. In one embodiment a plurality of concrete anchors are secured together by one or more rails forming a set.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A set of concrete anchors comprising:
 a first rail;   a plurality of concrete anchors attached to and spaced along the first rail, each of the plurality of concrete anchors comprising:
 an elongated tube having a receiving end and a distal end opposite the receiving end and an outer surface extending between the receiving end and the distal end wherein the distal end is closed; 
 a mounting flange disposed proximate the receiving end; and 
 at least one retention feature disposed on the elongated tube. 
   
     
     
         2 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of concrete anchors further comprises a second rail spaced apart from and parallel to the first rail. 
     
     
         3 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  wherein the retention feature is disposed on the distal end. 
     
     
         4 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  wherein the retention feature is disposed on the elongated tube between the receiving end and the distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  wherein the retention feature comprises the tube having a first outside dimension proximate the receiving end that is smaller than a second outside dimension proximate the distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  wherein there are two or more retention features disposed on the elongated tube. 
     
     
         7 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  wherein the receiving end is closed with a removable plug or foil. 
     
     
         8 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  having a mounting feature configured to be securable to a rail. 
     
     
         9 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  wherein a cross-section of the elongated tube is generally circular. 
     
     
         10 . The set of concrete anchors of  claim 1  wherein a cross-section of the elongated tube is generally rectangular.