LATCHING MECHANISM FOR MOUNTING PLATE OF PEDESTAL CLOSURE ASSEMBLY

摘要

A latching mechanism for a pedestal closure assembly has a pair of substantially channel-shaped slots, each slot having two arms, a flanged base and first and second ends. Each flanged base has a cam-like edge and is connected to the second end of each respective slot. The cam-like edge interconnects the upper and lower surfaces of the second end. A pair of legs adapted to be received by each slot are also included in the claimed latching mechanism. Each leg has a limiting edge and includes an end portion adapted to limit the motion of the legs when they are received in the respective slots. At least one flexible latch arm adapted to engage the flanged base of at least one of the slots is connected to one of the legs. Each latch arm includes a finger element beyond the end portion of the limiting edge of the leg. The finger element includes an engagement portion which abuts the lower surface of the flanged base of the leg when the leg is received in its respective slot. The finger element has a cam-follower surface which bears against the cam-like edge of the slot which flexes the latch arm allowing the engagement portion to move beyond the cam-like edge of the flanged base of the slot so that the latch arm engages the flanged base. Thus, the slot is configured and dimensioned to slidingly receive each leg. The latching mechanism and the pedestal closure assembly can be constructed of non-metallic material. Each leg of the latching mechanism can contain a spacer bead and a transverse flange, each flexible latch arm can include an integral lip, and each slot can contain a guide rail. All of these are included to keep the legs more firmly secured in the slots when the latching mechanism is engaged. Additionally, the pedestal closure assembly can have a service wire passageway with a channel slot which allows the internal equipment to be worked on without having to interrupt service and without having to unearth the lower housing section.