Power pedestal with breakaway pedestal base

Abstract

A power pedestal for electrical outlets is mountable to a mounting surface by means of a pedestal base. The pedestal base incorporates at least one stress relief feature that will allow the power pedestal to break away from the pedestal base in response to an external force acting on the power pedestal so as to induce stresses in the pedestal base exceeding a predetermined breaking point. The power pedestal may then be remounted to the mounting surface using a new pedestal base replacing the broken pedestal base. Optionally, the power pedestal may be provided with protective apparatus for protecting electrical outlets installed in the power pedestal from exposure to weather. The protective apparatus may comprise an angled hood having an angled top surface, at least two side panels, and an angled bottom surface having an aperture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power pedestal comprising an elongate body having one or more electrical outlets, wherein:
 (a) the power pedestal is adapted for mounting to a mounting surface using a pedestal base; and   (b) the pedestal base incorporates at least one stress relief feature adapted to allow the power pedestal to break away from the pedestal base in response to an external force acting on the power pedestal so as to induce stresses in the pedestal base exceeding a predetermined breaking point.   
     
     
         2 . The power pedestal of  claim 1  wherein the at least one stress relief feature comprises a weakened section incorporated into the pedestal base. 
     
     
         3 . The power pedestal of  claim 2  wherein the weakened section of the pedestal base comprises a material having a lower threshold for deformation than other portions of the pedestal base. 
     
     
         4 . The power pedestal of  claim 2  wherein the weakened section of the pedestal base comprises a partial cutout of a section of the pedestal base. 
     
     
         5 . The power pedestal of claim  14   claim 1  wherein the pedestal base is adapted to mount the power pedestal to a mounting surface with a clearance gap between the bottom of the power pedestal and the mounting surface, such that the interior of the power pedestal is ventilated from below. 
     
     
         6 . The power pedestal of  claim 5 , further comprising one or more additional ventilation grills on one or more sides of the power pedestal cabinet. 
     
     
         7 . The power pedestal of  claim 1  wherein the power pedestal is adapted to receive a protective device for at least one of the one or more electrical outlets, wherein the protective device comprises:
 (a) at least one angled top surface; 
 (b) at least two side panels adjoining the angled top surface; and 
 (c) an angled bottom surface having an aperture. 
 
     
     
         8 . The power pedestal of  claim 7  wherein the angled top surface is angled downwardly to extend to a sufficient horizontal distance from the wall, such that the angled top surface substantially covers and protects the electrical outlet from the top. 
     
     
         9 . The power pedestal of  claim 8  wherein the angled top surface joins the angled bottom surface at an apex, and wherein an angle formed between the angled top surface and the angled bottom surface is between about 45 degrees and 90 degrees.