Portable computer peripheral apparatus with reinforced connecting ring
AssigneeSuper Talent Electronics, Inc.
InventorJim Ni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer peripheral device including a USB plug connector in which a reinforced connecting ring is mounted over the front flange of a one-piece or two-part housing, and includes an opening through which the USB plug connector protrudes. The connecting ring includes a collar that is sized to mount over the front flange using an interference fit, or a snap-coupled arrangement is used. The connecting ring also includes a front plate that protects a front of the housing from damage during use. An optional rear connecting ring is used to further secure a key ring and/or light-pipe device onto the housing.
Claims17
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.
A method for manufacturing a pen-type computer peripheral apparatus including a housing having a lower wall, an upper wall, and side walls extending between the lower wall and the upper wall collectively forming a front opening, and including a front flange structure formed on at least one of the lower wall, the upper wall and the side walls adjacent to the front opening, the pen-type computer peripheral apparatus also including a plug connector extending from the housing, the method comprising:
- mounting a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) inside the housing, wherein the PCBA includes a printed circuit board (PCB), at least one of a controller circuit and a memory circuit mounted on the PCB, and the plug connector mounted onto a front end of the PCB;
- and
- mounting a front reinforced connecting ring over the plug connector such that the front reinforced connecting ring is coupled onto the front flange and surrounds at least a portion of the plug connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.