Method and apparatus for modular component system for efficient addition of peripheral components

A primary component that may be added to a secondary component to create an integrated unit, said primary component comprising:

• a housing, said housing further including a substantially planar surface, said planar surface including mounts for receiving a secondary component, said secondary component including a chassis;
• a latch rotatably coupled to a rear part of said primary component, said latch for engaging a flange on said secondary component, said latch further comprising a lever portion for lifting said secondary component away from said primary component;
• and
• a coupler for electrically coupling said primary component to said chassis of said secondary component to provide a common electromagnetic shield for said primary and secondary components.

A method for coupling primary and secondary components, said primary and secondary components each having a surface for mating with a surface of the other component, each said surface having a front and a rear part, said method comprising the steps of:

• bringing the front of said surfaces into contact while holding the rear of said primary component surface at an angle with the rear of said secondary component surface;
• rotating a latch on said secondary component to couple with a flange on said primary component, said latch including a lever portion for lifting said secondary component away from said primary component when reversing the coupling method in a corresponding decoupling method;
• and
• rotating the rear of said primary component surface to bring it into contact with the rear of said secondary component surface, said rotation also causing said primary and secondary components to be electrically coupled through a coupler, said coupler disposed along at least one of said surfaces at a location sufficiently distant from the front of said surfaces to allow said components to be easily coupled.