Patent ID: 7095617

Claim:
A portable computer peripheral apparatus comprising: an elongated housing including a lower wall, an upper wall, and side walls extending between the lower wall and the upper wall, wherein the lower, upper and side walls define a front opening, and wherein the housing further includes at least one front flange mounted on at least one of the lower, upper and side walls adjacent to the front opening; a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) including a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted inside of the housing, at least one of a controller circuit and a memory circuit mounted on the PCB, and a plug connector mounted onto a front end of the PCB; and a front reinforced connecting ring attached to the front flange structure of the housing, the front reinforced connecting ring including a first collar surrounding and defining a central opening, wherein the PCBA is mounted inside the housing such that said at least one of said controller circuit and said memory circuit is located between the upper and lower walls, and such that the plug connector extends from the front opening of the housing and through the central opening of the front reinforced connecting ring.