Abstract:
An internally threaded anchor for use in poured concrete floors having a metal deck or a wood form. The threaded anchor provides quick and easy attachment to threaded support rods that carry racks for utilities, piping, or ceiling grid systems. Each threaded anchor is capable of accepting different diameter rods or bolts with different thread cuts. Each anchor accepts the different diameter threaded rods by a single insertion motion, without the need to thread the rod into the anchor. Full insertion is visually verifiable when the marked end of the rod inserted into the anchor is no longer visible. An authentication tag visible upon full insertion indicates that authorized rod is being used.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/225,019 filed Mar. 25, 2014 for Quick Connect Threaded Anchor For Poured Concrete, Metal Deck And Wood Frame Floors. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to improvements in anchors for poured concrete, metal deck or wood deck ceilings in multi-story buildings, and more particularly, pertains to new and improved threaded anchors that are attached to the metal or wood deck prior to pouring of the concrete so that when the concrete sets, these anchors may be used as support points for suspended utilities such as plumbing pipes, mechanical piping, mechanical equipment, cable trays, bus ducts, HVAC ducts, electrical conduit, conduit racks, junction boxes and panels, or for seismic bracing for example. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Various concrete inserts or anchors have been used to retain support rods in poured concrete ceilings. Examples of such devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,697, granted Jun. 5, 2001 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,093,400, granted Aug. 22, 2006. 
     The anchors described therein perform their functions satisfactorily. U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,697, for example describes an anchor that has the capability of accepting two different diameter threaded rod. However, the threaded rod has to be threaded into the anchor, located in the concrete ceiling, from the floor below. Because such anchors are utilized in high rise buildings in large quantity, threading a rod into each anchor is a very time consuming and inefficient procedure. 
     Quick acting nut or coupling assemblies which facilitate quick connection of a bolt by an initial axial insertion of the bolt into the specially designed nut and subsequent rotation of the bolt to tighten, are known in the art. An example of such a structure can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,488, granted Jun. 27, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,260, granted Mar. 26, 2002. The quick connecting nut or coupling assembly described in these patents require that a threaded bolt pass through the entire nut assembly starting at an input aperture and out an output aperture. U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,105 illustrates a quick connecting anchor for a wood deck poured concrete slab that uses sliding threaded segments like shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,427,488 and 6,361,260. The anchor has a closed top. Threaded rod is connected by an axial insertion. The anchor is constructed so that the threads on the sliding segments engage the rod threads some distance away from the rod end. 
     The concrete inserts illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,697 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,093,400, do not use a quick connect nut structure. They have one open end for threading a rod or bolt against a closed end. These concrete anchors do not provide a user with a visual indication of full engagement. Even when the threaded rod or bolt cannot be turned any further in the anchor, full engagement is not assured. Use of a quick connect coupling assembly such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,488, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,361,260, and the anchor described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,105, do not provide visual feedback of full engagement to a user inserting a rod into the anchor from the floor below. The user is left unsure of whether the threaded rod is fully engaged with the coupling segments of the anchor. Furthermore, these quick connect devices do not contemplate accepting more than one diameter of threaded rod. 
     The present invention provides a quick connecting threaded anchor for poured concrete, metal or wood decks, which allow for quick connection, by axial insertion of different diameter threaded rods in one anchor, while at the same time providing visual feedback that the threaded rod has been fully engaged by the anchor. Such a visual indication is critical for installation in high rise buildings that use the inserts as support for ducts, electrical conduits and the like, and require an anchor that will meet seismic requirements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An anchor for poured concrete metal or wood decks has a plurality of threaded segments in a housing, each segment having a plurality of internally threaded diameters, allowing attachment of different diameter threaded rod to the same anchor. The multiple internal threaded diameter segments are downwardly biased inside the anchor casing. A threaded rod inserted into the anchor casing expands the segments during insertion. Upon full insertion, the segments move radially inward to engage the threads of the inserted rod. The threaded rod has an insertion end that is marked at a predetermined distance from the end or, for a predetermined distance along the length of the rod, providing a visual indicator. This marked distance relates to the physical dimension of the anchor being used and its placement in the concrete slab. The predetermined distance is equal to the distance the end of the threaded rod must travel for full insertion into the anchor. The threaded rod and anchor pair are matched so that full insertion of the threaded rod into the anchor causes the visual indicator on the rod to disappear. Absence of the visual indicator confirms full insertion and assures that maximum grasp is present between the anchor and threaded rod. This assurance is provided without requiring a user to physically turn the threaded rod. An authentication tag associated with the visual indicator remains visible upon full insertion of the rod to indicate that authorized correctly marked rod is being used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The exact nature of this invention, as well as the objects and advantages thereof, will become readily apparent upon consideration of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a quick connect anchor according to the present invention, illustrating different diameter rods paired with the anchor; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective illustration of a quick connect anchor according to the present invention, with a certain diameter rod fully inserted; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective of a quick connect anchor according to the present invention, with a smaller diameter threaded rod fully inserted; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a quick connect anchor according to the present invention, showing its major internal components; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a quick connect anchor according to the present invention, showing its major parts and two different diameter rods paired with the anchor; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a quick connect anchor according to the present invention, showing full engagement with a certain diameter rod; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a quick connect anchor according to the present invention, showing full engagement with a smaller diameter threaded rod; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of internal arcuate segments of the quick connect anchor of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of one of the internal threaded segments showing the threads; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section of the quick connect anchor, showing the internal cavity; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of internal arcuate segments of the quick connect anchor of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of one of the internal threaded segments showing the threads and teeth; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-section of an alternate embodiment of the quick connect anchor showing the internal cavity and teeth tab; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a quick connect anchor for attachment to a wood deck; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-section of the quick connect anchor of  FIG. 14  showing different diameter threaded rods paired with the anchor to provide a visual indication of full insertion; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective of a quick connect anchor of the present invention for attachment to a metal deck; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-section of the anchor of  FIG. 16  showing different diameter threaded rod paired with the anchor to provide a visual indication of full insertion of the threaded rod; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-section illustration of the quick connect anchor installed in a metal deck, after concrete has been poured over the metal deck and anchor; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-section illustration of the quick connect anchor installed in a metal deck, after concrete has been poured over the metal deck and anchor; 
         FIG. 20  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of a full insertion visual indicator which uses an additional authentication tag; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective illustration of a quick connect anchor system of the present invention suspending a trapeze support structure from a poured concrete ceiling; and 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective of the area in  FIG. 21 , blown up, to show a threaded rod engaging with a quick connect anchor using the visual indicator of  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of a quick connect threaded anchor  11  which has a cylindrical casing  13  made out of steel, such as stainless or galvanized steel, or a material having equivalent characteristics and strength. The cylindrical casing  13 , and head section  15  are preferably formed from a single solid piece. An internal cavity of the casing  13  ( FIG. 4 ) is capped at the head  15  by a circular plate  17 . The plate  17  is preferably made of steel, such as stainless or galvanized steel, or a material having similar characteristics. 
     The quick connect anchor  11  is capable of receiving threaded rods  19  and  21  which have different diameters. Engagement is accomplished by a single axial thrust. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , threaded rod  19  and threaded rod  21  are fully engaged by the same threaded anchor  11 , even though the diameters of the rods are different. The diameter of threaded rod  19 , for example, could be ½ inch. The smaller diameter threaded rod  21 , for example, could be ⅜ inches or ¼ inch. 
     The quick connect anchor  11  allows both rods  19  and  21 , which are paired with the anchor, to be rapidly engaged by the anchor, even though the diameters of the two threaded rods are different. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the components inside a cavity  16  of cylindrical casing  13  that engage the threaded rod. A pair of arcuate internal threaded segments  27  are located in the cavity  16  of cylindrical casing  13 . Arcuate segment  29  has an annular head  33 . Arcuate segment  31  has an annular head  37 . A tab  35  extends from head  33 . A tab  39  extends from head  37 . These tabs fit into slots  23 ,  25 , respectively in the head  15  of the casing. The slots  23 ,  25  extend down the walls of the casing for a predetermined distance, as will be illustrated hereinafter. 
     The pair of arcuate internally threaded segments  27  are retained in the cavity  16  at the open end  14  of the casing  13  by a frustoconical surface as will be described hereinafter. 
     A spring  41 , which is preferably spiral, having a wider diameter at one end than the other, although this is not required, pushes the segments  27  against the frustoconical surface. Any spring construction sufficient to provide the spring force required would be satisfactory. Spring  41  pushes the pair of arcuate internally threaded segments  31 ,  29  down towards the open end  14  of casing  13  against the frustoconical surface  63  ( FIG. 5 ). The spring is retained in the casing  13  by a plate  17  that fits within an opening  18  in the head  15  of the casing  13 . The plate  17 , which is preferably round, fits into the circular opening  18  and is held in place permanently by tack welds, for example. Although other equivalent fastening mechanisms are contemplated. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a combination of threaded rods and anchor, showing location of the internal threaded segments  29 ,  31  inside the cavity  16  of the cylindrical casing  13 , ready to receive a threaded rod. The two arcuate internally threaded segments  29 ,  31  are held within the cavity  16  against the frustoconical surface  63  by spring  41  which is located between the plate  17  and the head portions  33 ,  37  at the first end of the arcuate internally threaded segments  29 ,  31 . The spring  41  applies a downward force, causing the internally threaded arcuate segments  29 ,  31  to be contained in the relatively smaller diameter lower portion of cavity  16 , leaving only a small gap  18  between the two segments. 
     The threaded rods  19 ,  21  that are paired with the anchor are capable of being inserted into the anchor by an axial insertion through the open end  14  of the casing  13 . Such an insertion will cause the threaded rod to engage the threads of the segments. The threaded rod  19 , which has a larger diameter, will engage the lower threads  45 ,  49  of the arcuate segments  31 ,  29 . The threaded rod  21 , which has a smaller diameter, will engage the upper threads  43 ,  47  of the segments. In either case, the rod pushes both segments  31 ,  29  upward against the force of the spring  41  into the relatively larger diameter portion of the cavity  16 , allowing the segments  29 ,  31  to separate, increasing the gap  18  between the segments and allowing the rod to slide between the segments. 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , each segment  29 ,  31  has two different internally threaded diameters. Segment  31  has a lower thread portion  45  that is greater in diameter than the upper thread portion  43 . Segment  29  has a lower thread portion  49  that matches thread portion  45  on segment  31 . Segment  29  has an upper thread portion  47  that matches upper thread portion  43  on segment  31 . The two segments essentially form internal threads for accepting two different diameter rods  19  and  21 , for example. Rod  19  would be engaged by the larger diameter internal thread portion  45 ,  49  of segments  31 ,  29 . Full insertion of rod  19  is required in order to obtain full thread engagement between the rod  19  and internal threads  45  and  49  of the segments. Full insertion occurs when the end  20  of the rod  19  contacts the ridge  50 , a transition between the larger diameter threaded portions  45 ,  49  and the smaller diameter threaded portions  43 ,  47  of the internally threaded segments  31 ,  29 . 
     To ensure that the end  20  of rod  19  is in contact with transition ridge  50  upon axial insertion of the rod  19 , a certain length  53  on rod  19  from its end  20  is marked with a brightly colored paint or plastic, or equivalent visual indicator. For example, instead of marking a length  53  of rod  19 , a colored band  54  placed at a distance  53  from the end  20  of rod  19  would work as well. The distance  53  from the end  20  of rod  19  is equal to the distance  52  from the transition ridge  50  to the open end  14  of casing  13 . 
     Thus, if upon axial insertion of rod  19 , the marking on rod  19  disappears into the casing  13 , as viewed from the open end  14 , one can be assured that the end  20  of rod  19  is engaging the transition ridge  50  and the thread portions  45 ,  49  of the segments  31 ,  29  are fully engaging the threaded rod  19 . There is no requirement for the installer to rotate the rod to obtain maximum engagement. 
     If rod  21  is being inserted into the anchor, rod  21  engages the smaller diameter upper internal threads  43 ,  47  of the arcuate segments  31 ,  29 . In order to ensure that the end  22  of smaller diameter rod  21  fully engages all the thread portions  43 ,  47  of segments  31 ,  29  upon an axial insertion into the open end  14  of casing  13 , the rod  21  is marked for a length  55  from the end  22  with a brightly colored paint, or a colorful coating. Alternatively, the rod  21  may be marked by a colorful band  56  at a distance  55  from the end  22  of rod  21 . This distance  55  is equal to the distance  54  from the annular head of the segment pair at the first end of segments  31 ,  29  to the opening  14  at the casing. 
     Full insertion in an axial direction of the threaded rod  21  is visually indicated when the marking on the rod at the distance  55  disappears from view into opening  14 , when viewed from below. No rotation of the rod  21  is required by the installer to obtain full insertion. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates full engagement of the larger diameter threaded rod  19  by the anchor  11 .  FIG. 7  illustrates full engagement of the smaller diameter rod  21  by the same anchor  11 . 
       FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  show a more detailed view of the interaction between the arcuate internally threaded segments  31 ,  29  with the cavity  16  in cylindrical casing  13 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the two arcuate internally threaded segments  29 ,  31  that act in concert inside the cavity  16  of the cylindrical casing  13  to first allow entry of a rod and then fully engage the threads of the rod. Each arcuate segment  29 ,  31  has an annular head  33 ,  37  at the top or first end. Each annular head  33 ,  37  has a tab  35 ,  39 , extending therefrom. A frustoconical surface  60 ,  62 , is located under each annular head. A frustoconical surface  64 ,  66  is at the second end of each segment  29 ,  31 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the internal thread portions  49 ,  47  of one arcuate segment  29 . It should be understood that segment  31  is a mirror image of segment  29 . A transition ridge  50  separates the smaller diameter thread portion  47  from the larger diameter thread portion  49 . Although the portions  49 ,  47  are called thread portions, as can be seen, they are not a thread in the traditional sense. Rather, the thread portions are actually slanted individual slots in the internal walls of the segment. 
     The segments  31 ,  29  fit into the cavity  16  of cylindrical casing  13 . The cavity  16  has an opening  14  at the second end of the cylindrical casing  13  and an opening  24  at the first end of the cylindrical casing  13 . Opening  14 , at the second end, has a diameter  51  that is smaller than the diameter of the opening  24  at the first end. The diameter  51  of opening  14  is large enough to allow passage of the largest threaded rod acceptable by the anchor. The main portion  57  of the cavity  16  has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the opening  14  at the second end. A frustoconical surface  63  transitions the larger diameter of section  57  of the cavity to the smaller diameter of section  51  of the cavity. A top portion of the cavity has a diameter  55  that is larger than the diameter of the main portion  57 . A frustoconical surface  61  transitions the diameter of this larger diameter  55  to the slightly smaller diameter  57  of cavity  16 . 
     The segments  31 ,  29  fit into cavity  16  so that tabs  39 ,  35  slide into the slots  25 ,  23 , respectively, in the internal walls of the cylindrical casing  13 . The tabs  35 ,  39  prevent rotation of the arcuate internally threaded segments  29 ,  31 , allowing the segments to only move axially in the cavity  16  of the casing  13 . 
     The frustoconical surfaces  64 ,  66  of segments  29 ,  31  respectively, engage the frustoconical surface  63  that transitions the first diameter  51  to the second diameter  57  of the cavity. The frustoconical surfaces  60 ,  62  of the arcuate internal threaded segments  29 ,  31 , respectively, engage the frustoconical surface  61  that transitions the second diameter  57  with the third diameter  55  of the cavity  16 . The spring, as shown in  FIG. 5 , forces the segments  29 ,  31  against the first frustoconical surface  63  and second frustoconical surface  61  of the cavity  16 . Any axial insertion of a threaded rod through opening  14  into cavity  16  will cause axial movement of both segments in an upward direction against the spring, allowing the segments to separate, accept the rod to full insertion, and engage the threaded rod. Once axial movement of the threaded rod stops, the spring  41  forces the arcuate internally threaded segments  29 ,  31  down. This forces the segments  29 ,  31 , guided by the frustoconical surfaces  61 ,  63  of the casing  13 , to move radially inward and against the threads of the threaded rod, causing the segments to tightly engage the threaded rod. 
       FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13  show an alternate embodiment of the internally threaded segments  31 ,  29  and their interaction with an alternate cavity  16  in casing  13 . 
     The frustoconical surfaces at the second end of each segment  29 ,  31  has a row of teeth  103 ,  105  formed into the surface at the second end. At least one thread engagement tab  107  located on the frustoconical surface  63  in the cavity engages the teeth  103 ,  105  on the segments  28 ,  31  during full engagement between the threaded segments and a rod. This prevents rotation of the segments in the cavity  16  of the casing, thus allowing the segment to only move axially in cavity  16  of casing  13 . Preventing rotational movement of the segments  29 ,  31  after full engagement with the rod allows for disengagement of the threaded rod from the anchor, if required because of faulty installation, for example. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  show an anchor insert kit utilizing the quick connect anchor discussed above, for attachment to a wood deck. The casing  13  with its head  15  is encased by a sleeve  69  having a boss  67  at the second end of the casing  13 . The boss holds a plurality of nails  71 ,  73 ,  75  with heads that are located underneath the head  15  of the casing  13 . The sleeve  69  is nailed to the wooden deck. 
     After concrete is poured, embedding the entire structure of  FIG. 14 , the deck, to which the anchor is attached, is removed from below, revealing the open end  14  of cavity  16  in the casing  13 . The rest of the anchor structure remains entirely encased in the concrete. The open end is directed down and only accessible from the floor below. 
     Many anchors must be embedded in a concrete ceiling for suspending required structures. A threaded rod  19  or  21  must be inserted into each anchor through the opening  14 , at the second end of the anchor. The quick connect capability of the anchor, according to the present invention, allows a single axial thrust of the rod  19  or the smaller diameter rod  21  to cause full engagement. Marking on the rod provides a visual indication that full engagement has occurred. 
     Use of specially marked rods  19 ,  21  that are paired with an anchor are a critical part of the kit. The rods  19 ,  21  specifically adapted to be used with the anchor insert of  FIG. 14  ensure that an initial axial insertion of the rod  19 ,  21  into the aperture  16  of the anchor through opening  14  is in full engagement. Threaded rod  19  is marked a certain distance  77  from its end  20  by a brightly colored paint or other coating, or by a band  76  located a distance  77  from the end  20 . For rod  19 , the distance  77  is equal to the distance  76  from the transition ledge  50  of the larger diameter thread portion to the opening  26  in the sleeve  69 . 
     Full insertion of rod  19  into the anchor is visually indicated when the marked segment  77  of rod  19 , or the marked band  76  of rod  19  disappears from view to the person inserting the rod. 
     The smaller diameter rod  21 , is also paired with the anchor. Rod  21  is colorfully marked a fixed distance  79 , equal to the distance  78  between the head  15  of the segments  29 ,  31  to the opening  26  in sleeve  69 . 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate an anchor kit for a poured concrete metal deck utilizing the quick connect threaded anchor described above. The cylindrical casing  13  of the anchor is attached to a plastic sleeve  85  having expanding fingers  87  at the top end and an opening  86  at the bottom end. A plate  81  is attached to the outside of the cylindrical casing and may be held in place by a spring  83  and the expanding fingers  87 . Alternatively, the plate  81  may be fixedly attached to the casing  13 . 
     The anchor is inserted through an aperture in a metal deck (not shown) and is held to the metal deck by the plate  81  and fingers  87  of the sleeve. The plastic sleeve  85  passes through the aperture in the metal deck and extends below the metal deck. The plate  81  prevents the casing  13  from passing through the aperture. After concrete is poured on the metal deck, the entire structure of the anchor, above plate  81  is encased in concrete and firmly held to the metal deck. The sleeve  85  that extends through the deck protects the opening  14  in cavity  16  of the cylindrical casing  13  of the anchor from being plugged by fire retardant material that is typically sprayed on the underside of the deck. 
     Many anchors are used in such concrete ceilings. Each of these anchors must receive a threaded rod  19 ,  21 . According to the present invention, a single initial axial thrust of the threaded rod  19  or  21  through the opening  86  in the sleeve  85  and into the cavity  16  through opening  14  of cylindrical casing  13  will fully engage the rod. 
     Full engagement is visually indicated to the person inserting the rods  19 ,  21 . The rods being used are adapted to this particular anchor by having a portion of the end extending from the inserting end  20  or  22 , marked by brightly colored paint or covered in a brightly colored wrap. Full insertion and engagement is indicated when the brightly colored portion of the rod disappears into sleeve  85 . 
     If rod  19  is being inserted into the anchor of  FIG. 17 , a full insertion would be indicated by the colored length  91  of rod  19  disappearing, or alternatively, the color band  92  on the rod  19  disappearing. This will occur because the distance  91  from end  20  of rod  19  is equal to the distance  90  of the anchor. Alternatively, the band  92  on rod  19  is placed at distance from the end  20  that is equal to the distance  92  in the anchor. 
     If rod  21  is used, full insertion of rod  21  will be indicated if the color portion  93  of rod  21  from end  22  completely disappears upon insertion. Or alternatively, the band  94 , which is located at a distance  93  from the end  22  disappears upon insertion. This will occur only if the length  93  from the end  22  of rod  21  is equal to the distance  92  in the anchor. 
     As can be seen from the above description, the quick connect threaded anchor kit of the present invention provides a quick connection of a threaded rod to an anchor and provides a visual indication that a complete connection and engagement has occurred. No twisting of the rod is required to ensure complete connection. 
     Use of these quick connect anchors in high rise buildings as anchors for suspending utilities from a concrete ceiling can only be permitted if they equal or surpass seismic stress requirements set by applicable building codes. 
     Take for example the installation of the threaded anchor of the present invention in a concrete metal deck, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . The corrugated metal deck  110  typically receives a level of concrete at a height  115  of 3¼ inches measured from the upper ridges  116  of the corrugated plate  110 . Building codes mandate that a minimum top layer  119  of 1 inch of concrete  113  not contain any inserts. Having the top layer  119  at least 1 inch thick leaves a maximum installation zone  117  of 2¼ inches for the anchor  13 . This requires that the anchor  13  be about 2 inches long. The anchor  13  cannot be mounted on the lower ridge  120  of the metal deck  110 . It must be mounted on the upper ridge  116  of the corrugated deck  110  because of the requirement that the anchor  13  be completely and fully surrounded by concrete. Mounting it in the valley on the lower ridge  120  of the deck  110  is not permitted because the anchor  13  will not be completely and fully surrounded by concrete after the pour, due to cavitation and limited space. 
     As a result, the preferred length of the anchor  11  ( FIG. 1 ) is 1¾ inches and no greater than 2 inches. This length restriction for the anchor  11  requires a length restriction on the thread length of internally threaded segments  31 ,  29 . Total thread length can be no greater than 1 inch long. This 1 inch thread length must be divided into two different diameter thread lengths. The larger bottom diameter thread length is preferably 0.61 inches long. The smaller top diameter thread length is preferably 0.39 inches long. 
     Thus, the threaded region  47  ( FIG. 9 ) for the smaller ⅜ inch rod in the segments  29 ,  31  would be about 0.39 inches in length. The threaded region  49  ( FIG. 9 ) for the larger ½ inch diameter rod on the segments  29 ,  31  would be about 0.61 inches in length. The problem with such a short thread length is meeting the load bearing requirement imposed on anchors by the applicable seismic standards. To meet this load bearing requirement, the rods  19 ,  21  of  FIG. 18  must be fully engaged with all the threads along the length of the arcuate segments  29 ,  31 . For the anchor  13  illustrated in  FIG. 18  the rod  19 / 21  is marked at a distance  121  from the end of the rod to ensure full insertion when the marked portion disappears into the anchor  13  or plastic sleeve  85 .  FIG. 18  does not show a plastic sleeve. The marked portion  121  of the threaded rod  19 / 21  is marked accordingly, so that the marked portion will disappear into the anchor body of anchor  13  upon full insertion. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates the installation of  FIG. 18  with the added feature of a full insertion visual indicator portion that has an authentication tag. An example of a combination visual indicator and authentication tag is shown in  FIG. 20 . The visual indicator portion  121  is brightly colored and wrapped around the insertion end of a threaded rod, as shown in  FIG. 19 . The authentication tag  123  is attached to the indicator portion  121  and hangs down from the indicator portion  121  when it is on an end of the threaded rod, as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
     The authentication tag  123  is used to provide a visual indicator to an inspector viewing the inserted rod from below that authorized properly marked rod is being used. For example, if threaded rod that is not marked with a full insertion visual indicator is used, there will be no display of a visual indicator, even if full insertion of the rod did not occur. This inadequate insertion would visually appear to be a full insertion from below. 
     To prevent the use of unauthorized threaded rod, an authentication tag  123  is attached to the rod so that it hangs down below the visual indicator portion when the rod is fully inserted. The authentication tag is a different color, like white for example, then the full insertion indicator which may be red, for example. The authentication tag is viewable from below even when the full insertion indicator has disappeared into the anchor. The presence of the authentication tag assures an inspector that an authorized appropriately marked rod is being used and that it is fully inserted. 
     The load bearing requirement of each anchor is high. Preferably, each anchor should have a load bearing capacity that is higher than the rated bearing capacity of the threaded steel rods utilized. An A36 steel threaded rod is used for both the ½ inch diameter and the ⅜ inch diameter rods illustrated. The ½ inch A3 steel threaded rod is rated at 8,236 pounds. The ⅜ inch A36 steel threaded rod is rated at 4,445 pounds. 
     To ensure that the anchors of the present invention will support the loads required in the field, the inventors tested the holding capacity of an anchor using a ½ inch diameter A36 steel threaded rod and a ⅜ inch diameter A36 steel threaded rod. The anchor used in the test had internal threaded segments  31 ,  29  which were designed to accommodate both a ⅜ inch diameter threaded rod and a ½ inch diameter threaded rod. 
     A tension test to determine the failure load of a threaded rod and anchor assembly for both the ½ inch diameter rod and the ⅜ inch diameter rod was set up utilizing a universal hydraulic test machine with a calibrated load cell. The test set up anchored the quick connect anchor of the present invention to a solid test bed. The threaded rod was fully inserted into the anchor by a vertical thrust, noting that the marked end was no longer visible. The other end of the threaded rod was inserted into a load cell assembly of the hydraulic test machine. The hydraulic test machine then pulled on the unconnected end of the threaded rod until failure. Three tests were conducted on the ½ inch rod with failure resulting at the loads, in pounds, noted in Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Test # 
                 Load (lbs.) 
                 Rod Size (inch) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 10,100 
                 ½ 
               
               
                 2 
                 9,800 
                 ½ 
               
               
                 3 
                 9,999 
                 ½ 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All three tests of the ½ inch rod indicated failure at about 10,000 pounds, as shown in the table. These failures exceed the capacity of the ½ inch diameter rod by at least 1,500 pounds. The ½ inch A36 steel threaded rod is rated at 8,236 pounds. 
     Three tests were conducted for the ⅜ inch diameter threaded rod under the same protocol as the ½ inch diameter threaded rod. The results are set forth in Table 2 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Test # 
                 Load (lbs.) 
                 Rod Size (inch) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1 
                 6,300 
                 ⅜ 
               
               
                 2 
                 6,780 
                 ⅜ 
               
               
                 3 
                 6,971 
                 ⅜ 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     A ⅜ inch diameter A36 steel threaded rod is rated at 4,445 pounds. Failure occurred at over 6,000 pounds for the ⅜ inch threaded rod, as shown in the table. 
     As these tests indicate, the holding capacity of the anchor far exceeds the rated capacities of the ⅜ inch and ½ inch A36 steel threaded rod. Furthermore, the failures that occurred at the high loads shown in Tables 1 and 2 were failures of the threaded rod itself. The anchor and its internally threaded segments did not fail. 
     The results of these tests showed that the quick connect anchor of the present invention exceeded the rated capacity of the threaded rod, used with the anchor. These ratings meet, if not exceed the applicable building code requirements. 
     The tension capacities of the anchors take on a critical importance when they are used to suspend utilities from concrete ceilings, as illustrated in  FIG. 21 . A poured concrete ceiling  127  over a corrugated metal deck has embedded therein a plurality of anchors  14 , as shown in the expanded view  141  of  FIG. 22 . A pair of threaded rods  133 ,  135  for example, are utilized to support a trapeze structure made up of multiple transverse metal brackets  129 ,  131  fastened to the threaded rods  133 ,  135 . The rods each have a marked predetermined distance  121  from the insertion end ( FIG. 19 ) and an authenticated tag  123  extending down beyond the marked distance  121 . The brackets are fixed to the threaded rods by nuts  141 , for example, spaced at convenient distances to accommodate conduit or piping  137 ,  139  for example, fastened to the transverse support brackets, which act as support platforms. 
     The quick connect feature of the anchor  14  becomes critical in the installation of a trapeze structure, such as shown in  FIG. 21 . 
     These trapeze structures are assembled offsite and brought onto the building site with the rods and transverse support brackets attached, ready for installation. The alignment of the rods  133 ,  135  with their respective quick connect anchors in the concrete ceiling, and connection by an upward thrust into the anchors quickly mounts the entire structure. However, it is critical to provide assurance that full engagement has been made. This can only be provided by the present invention. By having the end of the threaded rod marked at a predetermined distance, so that it disappears only upon full insertion into the quick connect anchor, such assurance is provided. Furthermore, correct installation of the pre-assembled trapeze structures can be ascertained from the floor below, looking up at ceiling  127 . Simply looking up to see if any brightly colored portions of the rods are exposed to view, is all that is required. If no brightly colored portion is exposed, the rods are fully engaged. The authentication tag  123  will hang down as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  to provide an indicator that appropriately marked rods have been installed. 
     The present invention provides a quick connect anchor that has tensile holding strength exceeding the failure load of the rods used. The anchor, when utilized with an appropriately paired threaded rod assures full insertion and holding of the rod by the anchor beyond the capacity of the rod itself. A visual indication of full insertion is provided, to not only the installer, and also to a subsequent inspector. The inspector gets the added indication that appropriately marked rods have been used, by the presence of the authentication tag. The quick connect anchor and the specifically adapted threaded rods allows pre-assembly of trapeze systems for quick installation in the field, all with visual assurance that full connection has been made, providing optimum holding load, simply by pushing the rods into the respective anchors.