Outdoor pedestal closure assembly with flood protection

Abstract

An improved outdoor telecommunication pedestal having a dome and a two part base. The base includes inner and outer horizontal and vertical ribs to greatly enhance in-ground stability. The dome also includes vertical ribs to engage slots in the base to give good security. Security is further enhanced by a spring loaded lock mechanism that requires only a quarter turn to unlock. A cam follower wall is provided on a slider of the lock to allow a snap attachment of the dome and the base once full engagement is reached.

1 - 29 . (canceled)  
   
   
       30 . An outdoor pedestal closure assembly with flood protection, the assembly comprising: 
 a dome having an upper portion and a lower portion, the dome configured to provide a bell jar effect within said upper portion when water rises above said lower portion;    a base for supporting the dome, the dome configured for concealing and protecting cables or equipment when the cables or equipment are positioned in the upper portion of the dome with the dome secured to the base; and    a lock positioned on the lower portion of the dome for securing the dome to the base;    wherein the dome is configured for removal from the base for servicing said cables or equipment by unlocking the lock and separating the dome from the base; and    wherein the lock is configured to automatically lock the dome to the base when the dome is replaced on the base.    
   
   
       31 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein the lock is configured to be unlocked via a single tool.  
   
   
       32 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein said lock is the only lock for securing the dome to the base.  
   
   
       33 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein said lock represents the only point of entry for the pedestal assembly.  
   
   
       34 . The assembly of  claim 33  wherein the dome is configured for removal from the base solely by unlocking the lock via the single tool and separating the dome from the base.  
   
   
       35 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein at least the upper portion of the dome has a substantially monolithic construction.  
   
   
       36 . The assembly of  claim 35  wherein the dome includes a plurality of openings on the lower portion, and wherein the dome is a single molded piece at least above said openings.  
   
   
       37 . The assembly of  claim 30  further comprising a mounting plate attached to the base for supporting said cables or equipment, wherein the upper portion of the dome conceals and protects the mounting plate when the dome is secured to the base.  
   
   
       38 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein the base includes at least two separable sections.  
   
   
       39 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein the base includes a plurality of ribs for resisting ground extraction after the pedestal assembly is installed in the ground.  
   
   
       40 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein the dome includes at least one rib, the base includes at least one slot, and the rib on the dome is configured to engage the slot on the base.  
   
   
       41 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein the lower portion of the dome includes a bulge, and wherein the lock is positioned in the bulge of said lower portion.  
   
   
       42 . The assembly of  claim 41  wherein the lock has a thickness generally matching the bulge.  
   
   
       43 . The assembly of  claim 30  wherein the lock is configured to be unlocked by rotating a portion of the lock approximately a quarter turn.