Clamp mount for electronic device

Abstract

A clamp device is used to releasably secure an electronic device to a mounting base. The electronic device includes a mounting surface and electrical components. The electronic device is placed in physical contact with the clamp device and a toggle clam is actuated to secure the electronic device to the mounting base. An electrical coupling can also be connected when the toggle clamp secures the electronic device to the base. A safety level is actuated automatically when the lever secures the electronic device to prevent the toggle clamp from being accidentally released. The safety lever is released before the toggle clamp is released to remove the electronic device from the base which also disconnects the electrical coupling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for releasably securing an electronic device to a mounting base comprising:
 providing a guide rigidly coupled to a first side of a mounting plate rigidly mounted to the mounting base and a toggle clamp rigidly coupled to a second side of the mounting plate that is opposite the first side;   placing a first portion of the electronic device in physical contact with the guide on the mounting base;   placing a second portion of the positioning device in physical contact with the toggle clamp on the mounting base; and   actuating the toggle clamp to secure the positioning device to the mounting base.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing an electrical connector plug having a first mating connector coupled to the mounting plate and a second mating connector coupled to the positioning device; 
 wherein the actuating of the toggle clamp causes the first mating connector to mate with the second mating connector. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 releasing the toggle clamp to remove the positioning device from the mounting plate and disconnect the first mating connector to mate with the second mating connector. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a safety lever coupled to the toggle clamp that prevents the toggle clamp from opening unintentionally; 
 wherein the safety level is actuated when the toggle clamp is actuated. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising:
 releasing the safety lever before releasing the toggle clamp before releasing the toggle clamp to remove the positioning device from the mounting plate. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a level coupled to the mounting plate; and 
 adjusting the mounting plate to a level position before placing the first portion of the electronic device in physical contact with the guide. 
 
     
     
         7 . A method for releasably securing an electronic device to a mounting base comprising:
 providing a first leg, a second leg and a third leg rigidly coupled to the positioning device wherein the third leg includes a hook point;   providing a first guide post and a second guide post rigidly coupled to a first side of a mounting plate rigidly mounted to the mounting base and a toggle clamp rigidly coupled to a second side of the mounting plate that is opposite the first side;   placing the first leg in physical contact with the first guide and the second leg in physical contact with the second guide;   placing the hook point of the third leg in physical contact with the toggle clamp; and   actuating the toggle clamp to secure the electronic device to the mounting base.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 providing an electrical connector plug having a first mating connector coupled to the mounting plate and a second mating connector coupled to the positioning device; 
 wherein the actuating of the toggle clamp causes the first mating connector to mate with the second mating connector. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 releasing the toggle clamp to remove the electronic device from the mounting plate and disconnect the first mating connector to mate with the second mating connector. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 providing a safety lever coupled to the toggle clamp that prevents the toggle clamp from opening unintentionally; 
 wherein the safety level is actuated when the toggle clamp is actuated. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 releasing the safety lever before releasing the toggle clamp and 
 removing the positioning device from the mounting plate 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 providing a level coupled to the mounting plate; and 
 adjusting the mounting plate to a level position before placing the first portion of the positioning device in physical contact with the guide.