Patent ID: 6922954

Claim:
An outdoor pedestal assembly comprising: a pedestal comprising an above-ground enclosure defining an internal cavity; at least one interconnection between a communications service provider and a communications subscriber; and a locking mechanism for preventing unauthorized access to the internal cavity; a ground stake having a first end for attachment to the pedestal and a second end opposite the first end; and a stop plate secured to the ground stake medially between the first end and the second end, the stop plate comprising a hinge line separating a lower portion that is stationary and an upper portion that is movable relative to the lower portion, the hinge line defined by a pair of laterally spaced apart relief cuts fanned in the stop plate that permit the upper portion to yield and rotate about the hinge line when the ground stake is removed from the ground, the upper portion of the stop, plate having a pair of holes for receiving a retaining cable with opposed ends that are secured to the ground stake adjacent to the second end.