Lever based clamping device

1. An apparatus suitable for selectively engaging a plate for imaging equipment and suitable for selectively engaging a Picatinny rail for a firearm, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a body defining a portion of an upper channel having a first side wall;

(b) an arm defining a portion of said upper channel having a second side wall capable of lateral movement with respect to said first side wall suitable to detachably engage a pair of angled edges of said plate;

(c) said body defining a portion of a lower channel having a third side wall;

(d) said arm defining a portion of said lower channel having a fourth side wall capable of lateral movement with respect to said third side wall suitable to detachably engage said Picatinny rail, wherein said upper channel is at a higher elevation than said lower channel;

(e) a lever capable of causing said lateral movement;

(f) a substantially compressible member operably interconnected between said first side wall and said second side wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first side wall is inclined inwardly and said second side wall is inclined inwardly.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said upper channel includes a first horizontal surface defined by said body.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said upper channel includes a second horizontal surface defined by said arm.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second horizontal surfaces extends less than the width of said arm.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second horizontal surface is substantially centered on said arm.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said body defines a pair of vertical openings therein that extend through said body from a lower surface to an upper surface suitable to secure said apparatus to a support.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a base of said body defines a tongue and groove interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an exterior surface of said apparatus defining a pair of opposing dovetail grooves.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm is slidably engaged with said body.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a stud interconnected between said arm and said body.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said stud is interconnected to said body.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said stud extends through at least a portion of said arm.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a resilient member is operably interconnected between said body and said arm to provide an outwardly directed pressure on said arm.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third side wall is inclined inwardly and said fourth side wall is inclined inwardly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said lower channel includes a horizontal surface defined by said body.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a raised portion protruding from said horizontal surface suitable to be maintained between a pair of adjacent rails of said Picatinny rail.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said raised portion is operably engaged with a slidably movement of said arm with respect to said body.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substantially compressible member is maintained within said arm.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said substantially compressible member is supported by a central member.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said substantially compressible member is maintained in position by a pair of retaining members.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said retaining members are compressible members.

23. An apparatus suitable for selectively engaging a plate for imaging equipment and suitable for selectively engaging a Picatinny rail for a firearm, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a body defining a portion of an upper channel having a first side wall;

(b) an arm defining a portion of said upper channel having a second side wall capable of lateral movement with respect to said first side wall suitable to detachably engage a pair of angled edges of said plate;

(c) said body defining a portion of a lower channel having a third side wall;

(d) said arm defining a portion of said lower channel having a fourth side wall capable of lateral movement with respect to said third side wall suitable to detachably engage said Picatinny rail, wherein said upper channel is at a higher elevation than said lower channel;

(e) a lever suitable to cause said lateral movement;

(f) a substantially compressible member operably interconnected between said first side wall and said second side wall.