Abstract:
One preferred embodiment of an improved concrete anchor designed in accordance with the present invention for embedment in a concrete panel or the like includes an elongated bar having substantially flat parallel faces, an inner end disposed within the panel, an outer end disposed within a recess in the surface of the concrete panel and side edges extending between the faces. The side edges extend in continuously diverging relationship from adjacent the outer end to adjacent the inner end. In accordance with another embodiment, the preferred concrete anchor includes an elongated bar having substantially flat parallel faces; an inner end disposed within the panel; an outer end disposed within a recess in the surface of the concrete panel; and side edges, preferably substantially straight, which extend in a substantially parallel relationship between the faces. The outer end includes spaced, outwardly-projecting extensions disposed adjacent the side edges of the bar and, preferably, an elongated opening. The inner end is complementary in shape to the outer end, except that a major portion of the inner end is occupied by a void, preferably of triangular shape. The preferred concrete anchor is susceptible of relatively simple and economic manufacture as a unitary stamping.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of static structures and, more specifically, to metallic structures anchored in prefabricated concrete panels or the like to facilitate lifting of such panels. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Prefabricated concrete panels and the like are commonly used in construction. Very often, such panels are sufficiently heavy that mechanical means, such as cranes, must be used to move them. For this reason, it is known to embed metallic anchors in prefabricated concrete panels or the like to facilitate the grasping and lifting of such panels. 
     Many prior art concrete anchors used bent rods or the like to secure the anchors in the concrete panels. Examples of such structures include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,456,547; 3,596,971; 4,018,470; and 4,179,151. One drawback to such structures is that they are difficult to manufacture, requiring the welding of separate rods to build up the desires structures. 
     Other prior art concrete anchors, such as those proposed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,883,170 and 4,173,856, were formed from stamped or die-cut metal. Each of the anchoring elements proposed in these patents were split longitudinally through inner ends thereof so as to form oppositely-bent anchoring legs to help secure the anchoring elements in the concrete. The splitting of the anchoring elements and bending of the anchoring legs would have added steps to the processes required to manufacture these anchoring elements, thereby raising the cost of the elements&#39; manufacture. 
     Kelly U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,846; Kelly U.S. Design Pat. No. 392,752; and Kelly U.S. Design Pat. No. 389,251 proposed lifting anchors for embedment in concrete members. The lifting anchors comprised elongated bars having convergent and divergent surfaces wherein the divergent surfaces faced outwardly to direct axial pull-out forces imparted on the bars divergently and laterally into concrete members within which the anchors were embedded. The divergent surfaces terminated in enlarged feet formed at the proximal ends of the bars. 
     The lifting anchor proposed in Kelly U.S. Design Pat. No. 5,596,846 and of Kelly U.S. Design Pat. No. 389,251 also included a divergent wing extending laterally from an edge of the bar to transmit lateral lifting forces in outwardly divergent directions to a concrete member within which the bar was embedded. The addition of such a divergent wing would have required an additional welding step which would have increased the manufacturing cost of the lifting anchor. 
     Thus, there remains a need in the art for concrete anchors of relatively simple manufacture. There further remains a need in the art for combinations comprising such anchors embedded in concrete panels or the like sufficiently securely to resist pulling forces of magnitudes such as would be applied to the anchors while lifting or pivoting the panels. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These needs and others are addressed by an improved concrete anchor designed in accordance with the present invention for embedment in a concrete panel or the like, and by the structure formed by the combination of the concrete anchor with such a concrete panel. In accordance with a first embodiment, the preferred concrete anchor includes an elongated bar having substantially flat parallel faces, an inner end disposed within the panel, an outer end disposed within a recess in the surface of the concrete panel and side edges extending between the faces. The side edges extend in continuously diverging relationship from adjacent the outer end to adjacent the inner end. 
     The extension of the side edges in a continuously diverging relationship serves to firmly secure the concrete anchor in the concrete panel. More specifically, the configuration of the side edges of the preferred concrete anchor serves to direct the reaction forces generated by the application of a pulling force to the outer end of the elongated bar against the surrounding concrete of the concrete panel in a compressive mode. It is well known that concrete is strongest in compression. Thus, the extension of the side edges in a continuously diverging relationship serves to direct the reaction forces so as to maximize the ability of the surrounding concrete to sustain those reaction forces. 
     Preferably, the side edges of the preferred concrete anchor are substantially straight. Alternatively, the side edges include recesses defining recessed side edge sections in continuous diverging relationship. 
     The preferred concrete anchor further defines an elongated opening in its outer end and a void occupying a major portion of its inner end. Most preferably, the void is triangular or trapezoidal in shape so as to conform approximately to the continuously diverging relationship of the side edges. The void serves to further secure the concrete anchor in the concrete panel. When the concrete anchor is embedded in the concrete panel, as by casting the concrete panel over the concrete anchor, a “nugget” of concrete forms through the void. This nugget acts as a detent to directly resist pulling forces applied to the outer end of the elongated bar. The nugget also reinforces the side edges so as to promote the action of the side edges in directing the reaction forces generated by the application of a pulling force on the outer end against the surrounding concrete in a compressive mode. 
     In accordance with a second embodiment, the preferred concrete anchor includes an elongated bar having substantially flat parallel faces; an inner end disposed within the panel; an outer end disposed within a recess in the surface of the concrete panel; and side edges, preferably substantially straight, which extend in a substantially parallel relationship between the faces. The outer end includes spaced, outwardly-projecting extensions disposed adjacent the side edges of the bar and, preferably, an elongated opening. The inner end is complementary in shape to the outer end, except that a major portion of the inner end is occupied by a void, preferably of triangular shape. As previously mentioned, when the concrete anchor is embedded in the concrete panel, as by casting the concrete panel over the concrete anchor, the void interacts with the concrete material to retain the concrete anchor in the panel. 
     Most preferably, the concrete anchor is formed from a single metal stamping. This allows for a particularly simple method of manufacture as compared with prior art concrete anchors. 
     Therefore, it is one object of the invention to provide a novel concrete anchor of relatively simple construction which, in combination with a concrete panel or the like, forms a durable structure capable of being pivoted or lifted by engagement of a crane or other suitable means with the concrete anchor. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in further detail in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a concrete anchor in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 1, the opposite side elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 1, the rear elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a concrete panel or the like with the concrete anchor of FIG. 1 embedded therein; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a concrete anchor in accordance with the invention, the opposite side elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 7, the rear elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a third embodiment of a concrete anchor in accordance with the invention, the opposite side elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 9, the rear elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a concrete anchor in accordance with the invention, the opposite side elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 11, the rear elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a fifth embodiment of a concrete anchor in accordance with the invention, the opposite side elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 13, the rear elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a concrete anchor in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 15, the opposite side elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 15, the rear elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 20 is a partial sectional view of a concrete panel or the like with the concrete anchor of FIG. 15 embedded therein; 
     FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of a seventh embodiment of a concrete anchor in accordance with the invention, the opposite side elevational view being substantially identical; 
     FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the concrete anchor of FIG. 21, the rear elevational view being substantially identical; and 
     FIG. 23 is a partial sectional view of a concrete panel or the like with the concrete anchor of FIG. 21 embedded therein. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of a concrete anchor  10  in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated metal bar  12 . The elongated metal bar  12  defines an inner end  14  and an outer end  16 . As shown in FIG. 2, the elongated metal bar  12  defines a first planar face  18  and a second planar face  20  parallel to the first planar face  18 . As shown in FIG. 3, the elongated bar  12  further defines a first side edge  22  and a second side edge  24 . Most preferably, the first and second side edges  22 ,  24  are substantially straight and extend in continuously diverging relationship from adjacent the outer end  16  to adjacent the inner end  14 . 
     The elongated bar  12  of the preferred concrete anchor  10  further includes an elongated opening or eye  26  and a void  28 . The elongated opening  26  and the void  28  each extend from the first planar face  18  through the elongated bar  12  to the second planar face  20 . Most preferably, the void  28  occupies a major portion of the region of the elongated metal bar  12  near the inner end  14 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the regions  30  and  32  where the first and second side edges  22 ,  24  approach the outer end  16  of the elongated bar  12  are chamferred. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the regions  24  and  26  where the first and second side edges  22 ,  24  (FIGS. 2 and 4) approach the inner end  14  are chamferred. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the concrete anchor  10  preferably is combined with a concrete panel  40  or the like to provide means for lifting or pivoting the concrete panel  40 . More specifically, the preferred concrete panel  40  defines a first major planar surface  42 ; a second major planar surface  44  parallel to the first major planar surface  42 ; a relatively narrow edge  46  extending between the first and second major planar surfaces  42 ,  44 ; and a recess  48  extending through the relatively narrow edge  46  into the concrete panel  40 . The inner end  14  of the concrete anchor  10  preferably is embedded in the concrete panel  40 . The outer end  16  of the concrete anchor  10  extends into the recess  48  for engagement by a crane (not shown) or the like. 
     Most preferably, the concrete anchor  10  is embedded in the concrete panel  40  by casting the concrete panel  40  around the concrete anchor  10 . More specifically, it is preferred that the concrete panel  40  be cast in a form (not shown) with structure (not shown), of a type well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, for immobilizing the concrete anchor  10  and for forming the recess  48 . As fluid casting material (not shown) is poured into the form (not shown), the material flows around the concrete anchor  10  and into the void  28  so as to form a “nugget”  50  extending through the void  28 . 
     The structure of the concrete anchor  10  is designed to interact with the material of the concrete panel  40  to secure the concrete anchor  10  in the concrete panel  40 . As noted earlier, it is well known that concrete has its greatest strength in compression. Since the side edges  22 ,  24  extend in continuously diverging relationship from adjacent the outer end  16  to adjacent the inner end  14 , a pulling force applied to the outer end  16  of the concrete anchor  10  reacts against the material of the concrete panel  40  surrounding the concrete anchor  10  in a compressive mode. The nugget  50  acts as a detent to directly resist the pulling force applied to the outer end  16 . Furthermore, the void  28  most preferably is triangular or trapezoidal in shape, conforming approximately to the continuously diverging relationship of the side edges  22 ,  24 . The nugget  50  reinforces the side edges  22 ,  24  against deflection so as to promote the direction the reaction forces generated by the pulling force against the surrounding material of the concrete panel  40  in a compressive mode. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, a second preferred embodiment of a concrete anchor  60  in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated metal bar  62  which defines an inner end  64  and an outer end  66 . The elongated metal bar  62  also defines a first planar face  68  and a second planar face  70  parallel to the first planar face  68 . As shown in FIG. 8, the elongated metal bar  62  further defines a substantially straight first side edge  72  and a substantially straight second side edge  74 . The concrete anchor  60  further includes an elongated opening or eye  76  near the outer end  66  and a triangular or trapezoidal void  78  near the inner end  64 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, a third preferred embodiment of a concrete anchor  80  in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated metal bar  82  which defines an inner end  84  and an outer end  86 . The elongated metal bar  82  also defines a first planar face  88  and a second planar face  90  parallel to the first planar face  88 . As shown in FIG. 10, the elongated metal bar  82  further defines a substantially straight first side edge  92  and a substantially straight second side edge  94 . The concrete anchor  80  further includes an elongated opening or eye  96  near the outer end  86  and a triangular or trapezoidal void  98  near the inner end  84 . 
     As shown in FIG. 11, a fourth preferred embodiment of a concrete anchor  100  in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated metal bar  102  which defines an inner end  104  and an outer end  106 . The elongated metal bar  102  also defines a first planar face  108  and a second planar face  110  parallel to the first planar face  108 . As shown in FIG. 12, the elongated metal bar  102  further defines a substantially straight first side edge  112  and a substantially straight second side edge  114 . The concrete anchor  100  further includes an elongated opening or eye  116  near the outer end  106  and a triangular or trapezoidal void  118  near the inner end  104 . 
     In the second preferred embodiment  60  (FIGS.  7 - 8 ), the third preferred embodiment  80  (FIGS. 9-10) and the fourth preferred embodiment  100  (FIGS.  11 - 12 ), as in the first preferred embodiment  10  (FIGS.  1 - 5 ), the first and second side edges ( 72 ,  74  in FIG. 8;  92 ,  94  in FIG. 10;  112 ,  114  in FIG. 12) extend in continuously diverging relationship from adjacent the outer end ( 66  in FIG. 8;  86  in FIG. 10;  106  in FIG. 12) to adjacent the inner end  14  ( 64  in FIG. 8;  84  in FIG. 10;  104  in FIG.  12 ). The second, third and fourth embodiments  60  (FIGS.  7 - 8 ),  80  (FIGS.  9 - 10 ),  100  (FIGS. 11-12) combine with concrete panels (not shown) and perform therewith on the same principles as does the first preferred embodiment  10  (FIGS.  1 - 5 ). Indeed, the top and bottom plan views of the second, third and fourth preferred embodiments  60  (FIGS.  7 - 8 ),  80  (FIGS. 9-10) and  100  (FIGS. 11-12) are similar to the top and bottom plan views of the first preferred embodiment  10  in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively. 
     As FIGS. 3,  8 ,  10  and  12  suggest, however, the side edges ( 22 ,  24  in FIG. 3;  72 ,  74  in FIG. 8;  92 ,  94  in FIG. 10;  112 ,  114  in FIG. 12) diverge at different rates or angles. In other words, the overall length of the concrete anchor  10  (FIGS.  1 - 5 ),  60  (FIGS.  7 - 8 ),  80  (FIGS.  9 - 10 ),  100  (FIGS. 11-12) relative to its width is not critical to the present invention. Most preferably, the side edges ( 22 ,  24  in FIG. 3;  72 ,  74  in FIG. 8;  92 ,  94  in FIG. 10;  112 ,  114  in FIG. 12) diverge at an included angle of approximately 3°-15° with respect to one another. 
     As shown in FIG. 13, a fifth preferred embodiment of a concrete anchor  120  in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated metal bar  122  which defines an inner end  124  and an outer end  126 . The elongated metal bar  122  also defines a first planar face  128  and a second planar face  130  parallel to the first planar face  128 . As shown in FIG. 14, the elongated bar further defines a substantially straight first side edge  132  and a substantially straight second side edge  134 . The concrete anchor  120  further includes an elongated opening or eye  136  near the outer end  126  and a void  138  near the inner end  124 . The first and second side edges  132 ,  134  extend in continuously diverging relationship from adjacent the outer end  126  to adjacent the inner end  124 . 
     Unlike the first, second, third and fourth preferred embodiments  10  (FIGS.  1 - 5 ),  60  (FIGS.  7 - 8 ),  80  (FIGS. 9-10) and  100  (FIGS.  11 - 12 ), however, the fifth preferred embodiment  120  has a void  138  in the shape of an elongated oval rather than triangular or trapezoidal. Although the shape of the void  138  of the fifth preferred embodiment  120  differs from the shapes of the voids ( 28  in FIG. 3;  78  in FIG. 8;  98  in FIG. 10;  118  in FIG. 12) of the earlier-disclosed preferred embodiments  10  (FIGS.  1 - 5 ),  60  (FIGS.  7 - 8 ),  80  (FIGS. 9-10) and  100  (FIGS.  11 - 12 ), it provides a sufficient opening to allow a “nugget” of material (not shown) to form when the concrete anchor  120  is embedded in a concrete panel (not shown). This nugget, in turn, would act as a detent to directly resist a pulling force applied to the outer end  126  of the concrete anchor  120 . Furthermore, since the void  138  of the fifth preferred embodiment  120  occupies a major portion of the region of the elongated metal bar  122  near the inner end  124 , the nugget (not shown) formed therethrough also would reinforce the side edges  132 ,  134  against deflection so as to promote the direction the reaction forces generated by the pulling force against the surrounding material of the concrete panel (not shown) in a compressive mode. In other words, while the void ( 28  in FIG. 3;  78  in FIG. 8;  98  in FIG. 10;  118  in FIG. 12;  138  in FIG. 14) most preferably takes a triangular or trapezoidal shape, the shape itself is not critical to the invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 15, a sixth preferred embodiment of a concrete anchor  150  in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated metal bar  152 . The elongated metal bar  152  defines an inner end  154  and an outer end  156 . As shown in FIG. 16, the elongated metal bar  152  defines a first planar face  158  and a second planar face  160  parallel to the first planar face  158 . 
     As shown in FIG. 17, the elongated bar further defines a first inner side edge  162 , a second inner side edge  164 , a first outer side edge  166  and a second inner side edge  168 . Most preferably, the first and second inner side edges  162 ,  164 , and the first and second outer side edges  166 ,  168 , are substantially parallel and straight. A pair of symmetrically-arranged recesses  170 ,  172  connect the first and second inner side edges  162 ,  164 , respectively, with the first and second outer side edges  166 ,  168 . 
     The recesses  170 ,  172  preferably define continuous, non-inflected profiles. Most preferably, the recesses  170 ,  172  define a first recess side edge  176  and a second recess side edge  178 . The first and second recess side edges  176 ,  178  extend in diverging relationship from adjacent the outer end  156  to adjacent the inner end  154 . Most preferably, the first and second recess side edges  176 ,  178  diverge at an included angle of approximately 3°-15° with respect to one another. The recesses  170 ,  172  also define concave cylindrical segments  180  and  182 , each of which is joined continuously with a corresponding one of the first and second recess side edges  176 ,  178  along a plane  184  perpendicular to the extension of the first and second inner side edges  166 ,  168 . Although preferred configurations for the recesses  170 ,  172  have been described, those preferred configurations are not critical to the invention and the selection of other suitable configurations are within the ordinary skill in the art. 
     The elongated bar  152  of the preferred concrete anchor  150  further includes an elongated opening or eye  186 ; a void  188 ; and holes  190  and  192 . The elongated opening  186 ; the void  188 ; and the holes  190 ,  192  each extend from the first planar face  158  through the elongated bar  152  to the second planar face  160 . Most preferably, the void  188  is triangular or trapezoidal and occupies a major portion of the region of the elongated metal bar  152  near the inner end  154 . 
     As shown in FIG. 18, the outer end  156  of the preferred concrete anchor  150  defines a pair of extensions  194  and  196  of the first and second outer side edges  166 ,  168  (FIG.  17 ). The outer end  156  is recessed and chamferred, as at  198  and  200  (FIG.  18 ), in the space between the extensions  194 ,  196 . The inner end  154 , shown in plan view in FIG. 19, is complementary in shape to the outer end  156 . 
     As shown in FIG. 20, the concrete anchor  150  preferably is combined with a concrete panel  210  or the like to provide means for lifting or pivoting the concrete panel  210 . More specifically, the preferred concrete panel  210  defines a first major planar surface  212 ; a second major planar surface  214  parallel to the first major planar surface  212 ; a relatively narrow edge  216  extending between the first and second major planar surfaces  212 ,  214 ; and a recess  218  extending through the relatively narrow edge  216  into the concrete panel  210 . The inner end  154  of the concrete anchor  150  preferably is embedded in the concrete panel  210 . The outer end  156  of the concrete anchor  150  extends into the recess  218  for engagement by a crane (not shown) or the like. 
     As discussed in connection with the earlier-disclosed preferred embodiments  10  (FIGS.  1 - 5 ),  60  (FIGS.  7 - 8 ),  80  (FIGS.  9 - 10 ),  100  (FIGS. 11-12) and  120  (FIGS.  13 - 14 ), the concrete anchor  150  most preferably is embedded in the concrete panel  210  by casting the concrete panel  210  around the concrete anchor  150 . More specifically, it is preferred that the concrete panel  210  be cast in a form (not shown) with structure (not shown), of a type well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, for immobilizing the concrete anchor  150  and for forming the recess  218 . As fluid casting material (not shown) is poured into the form (not shown), the material flows around the concrete anchor  10  and into the void  188  and the two holes  190 ,  192  so as to form “nuggets”  220 ,  222  and  224  extending through the void  188  and the holes  190 ,  192 . 
     The structure of the concrete anchor  150  is designed to interact with the material of the concrete panel  210  to secure the concrete anchor  150  in the concrete panel  210 . Since the sections  176 ,  178  of the recesses  170 ,  172  extend in continuously diverging relationship along a direction parallel to that extending from adjacent to the outer end  156  to adjacent to the inner end  158 , a pulling force applied to the outer end  156  of the concrete anchor  150  reacts against the material of the concrete panel  210  surrounding the concrete anchor  150  in a compressive mode. The nuggets  220 ,  222 ,  224  act as detents to directly resist the pulling force applied to the outer end  156 . The nugget  220  also reinforces the sections  176 ,  178  of the recesses  170 ,  172  against deflection so as to promote the direction the reaction forces generated by the pulling force against the surrounding material of the concrete panel  210  in a compressive mode. 
     It is anticipated that such a pulling force will be exerted by a hook, grapple or the like (not shown) engaging the elongated opening. The extensions  194 ,  196  serve to protect the material surrounding the recess  214  from spalling as a result of repeated contact with such hooks, grapples or the like (not shown) during lifting or pivoting of the concrete panel  210 . 
     As shown in FIG. 21, a seventh preferred embodiment of a concrete anchor  240  in accordance with the invention comprises an elongated metal bar  242  which defines an inner end  244  and an outer end  246 . The elongated metal bar  242  also defines a first planar face  248  and a second planar face  250  parallel to the first planar face  248 . As shown in FIG. 22, the elongated bar further defines a first side edge  252  and a second side edge  254 . Most preferably, the first and second side edges  252 ,  254  are substantially straight and parallel. The concrete anchor  240  further includes a pair of semi-circular recesses  256  and  258  extending through the first and second side edges  252 ,  254  into the elongated metal bar  242 . 
     The elongated bar  242  of the preferred concrete anchor  240  further includes an elongated opening or eye  260 ; a void  262 ; and holes  264  and  266 , each of which extend from the first planar face  248  through the elongated bar  242  to the second planar face  250 . 
     The outer end  246  of the preferred concrete anchor  240  is similar to the outer end  156  (FIGS. 17 and 18) of the sixth preferred embodiment  150  (FIGS.  15 - 19 ), defining a pair of extensions  270  and  272 . The configuration of the inner end  244  is complementary to that of the outer end  246 . The top and bottom plan views of the seventh preferred embodiment  240  are similar to the top and bottom plan views of the first preferred embodiment  150  in FIGS. 18 and 19. 
     As shown in FIG. 23, the concrete anchor  240  preferably is combined with a concrete panel  280  which defines parallel first and second major planar surfaces  282  and  284 ; a relatively narrow edge  286 ; and a recess  288  extending through the relatively narrow edge  286  into the concrete panel  280 . The inner end  244  of the concrete anchor  240  preferably is embedded in the concrete panel  280  such that a surface of the recess  288  intersects the pair of semi-circular recesses  256 ,  258 . The outer end  246  of the concrete anchor  240  extends into the recess  288 . The concrete anchor  240  most preferably is embedded in the concrete panel  280  by casting the concrete panel  280  around the concrete anchor  240 , thereby forming “nuggets”  290 ,  292  and  294  through the void  262  and through the holes,  264 ,  266 , respectively. 
     The structure of the concrete anchor  240  is designed to interact with the material of the concrete panel  280  to secure the concrete anchor  240  in the concrete panel  280 . A pulling force applied to the outer end  246  of the concrete anchor  240  would react against the material of the concrete panel  210  in and immediately surrounding the pair of semi-circular recesses  256 ,  258 . In addition, the nuggets  290 ,  292 ,  294  act as detents to directly resist the pulling force applied to the outer end  156 . 
     The preferred concrete anchors  10  (FIGS.  1 - 5 ),  60  (FIGS.  7 - 8 ),  80  (FIGS.  9 - 10 ),  100  (FIGS.  11 - 12 ),  120  (FIGS.  13 - 14 ),  150  (FIGS. 15-19) and  240  (FIGS. 21-22) are each preferably formed as unitary stampings. Stamping provides a relatively simple process for manufacturing the concrete anchor ( 10  in FIGS. 1-5;  60  in FIGS. 7-8;  80  in FIGS. 9-10;  100  in FIGS. 11-12;  120  in FIGS. 13-14;  150  in FIGS. 15-19; and  240  in FIGS.  21 - 22 ). In addition, the preferred concrete anchor ( 10  in FIGS. 1-5;  60  in FIGS. 7-8;  80  in FIGS. 9-10;  100  in FIGS. 11-12;  120  in FIGS. 13-14;  150  in FIGS. 15-19; and  240  in FIGS. 21-22) is formed as a unitary member, without seams or weld lines which differ in strength from the surrounding metal. 
     Various changes or modifications in the invention described may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or scope of the invention. The above description of preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and it is not intended that the invention be restricted thereto but that it be limited only by the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.