Structural support member for a data port of a device housing

An electronic device, comprising:

• a housing including a receiving aperture;
• a structural support member positioned within the housing and extending from the receiving aperture to a distal end, the structural support member defining a channel extending there through, the channel aligned with the receiving aperture;
• an electrical receptacle connector positioned adjacent the distal end of the structural support member and including a receiving opening aligned with the channel such that a plug connector can pass through the receiving aperture, through the channel, through the receiving opening and into the receptacle connector, wherein the electrical receptacle connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts;
• a polymer material filling a gap between an exterior surface of the structural support member and an interior portion of the electronic device, the polymer material engaging a recessed groove formed on the interior portion of the housing and engaging a ridge formed on the outside surface of the structural support member, wherein the groove and the ridge engage with the polymer material to retain and seal the structural support member within the housing.

A portable electronic device, comprising:

• a device housing defining a receiving aperture sized to receive a mating connector;
• a structural support member positioned within the device housing and extending from the receiving aperture to a distal end;
• an electrical receptacle connector positioned within the device housing and located adjacent the distal end of the structural support member, wherein the electrical receptacle connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts;
• and
• a polymer material disposed between an outside surface of the structural support member and an interior surface of the device housing, the polymer material engaging a recessed groove formed on the interior surface of the device housing and engaging a ridge formed on the outside surface of the structural support member, wherein the groove and the ridge engage with the polymer material to retain and seal the structural support member within the device housing.