Device for attaching a device to a surface and method for attaching a device to a surface

Abstract

This invention relates to means and methods for attaching devices to surfaces. Specifically, the means for attaching devices to surfaces such as walls includes at least one device and, for each device, at least two mounting brackets. Each device has a rear side provided with a recess for each mounting bracket associated with the device, wherein each mounting bracket has a male connector end and a female connector end, the male connector end being configured to be received by the female connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device. Each male connector end is provided with at least one through-hole for receiving an attachment member such as a screw. Each mounting bracket is oriented with its male connector end extending beyond the periphery of the device into the recess associated with that mounting bracket, and each mounting bracket is oriented with its male connector end extending into the recess associated with that mounting bracket into an orientation that allows it to approach the female connector end from the periphery of the device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for attaching devices to a surface and a method for attaching such a device to a surface. BACKGROUND

[0002] In many cases it can be desirable to attach devices to a surface, such as a wall. The devices can be arranged in one or more arrays, i.e. adjacent to each other.

[0003] The devices may, for example, comprise electronic units, such as I / O relay modules for access control systems.

[0004] Typically, mounting brackets are used for supporting the devices, which mounting brackets are attached to the surface, for example by means of screws.

[0005] In CA 2585947 A1 such a device for attaching devices to a surface is disclosed.

[0006] Mounting several devices by means of such mounting brackets can be time consuming, and therefore an improved device for attaching devices to a surface is needed. SUMMARY

[0007] In view of the above statements, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for attaching devices to a surface, such as a wall.

[0008] It is also an object to provide such a device which can facilitate and speed up the attachment of devices.

[0009] Another object is to provide a method for attaching such a device to a surface.

[0010] In order to achieve at least one of the above objects and other objects apparent from the following description, a device and a method having the features as defined below are provided according to the present invention. Preferred embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0011] More specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a device for attaching devices to a surface, such as a wall, is provided, the device comprising at least one device and at least two mounting brackets for each device, wherein each device has a rear side provided with a recess for each mounting bracket associated with the device, wherein each mounting bracket has a male connector end and a female connector end, the male connector end being configured to be received by the female connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device, wherein each male connector end is provided with at least one through hole for receiving an attachment member, such as a screw, wherein each mounting bracket can be inserted in the recess associated with the mounting bracket in an orientation in which the male connector end extends beyond the perimeter of the device, and wherein each mounting bracket can be inserted in the recess associated with the mounting bracket in an orientation in which the female connector end is accessible from the perimeter of the device.

[0012] Thus, an improved device for attaching devices to a surface, such as a wall, is provided.

[0013] More specifically, when attaching or installing a subsequent device, the device is able to make use of already attached or installed devices, thereby facilitating and speeding up the process of attaching the device to the surface.

[0014] Each device has a rear side provided with a recess into which a respective mounting bracket is inserted in two possible orientations, one orientation being an orientation in which the male connector end of the mounting bracket extends beyond the periphery of the device, and one orientation being an orientation in which the female connector end of the mounting bracket is accessible from the periphery of the device.

[0015] Thus, when installing a first device of the device, each mounting bracket can be inserted in its respective recess of the first device in an orientation in which the male connector end extends beyond the periphery of the first device, thereby enabling the first device to be attached to the surface by means of attachment members, such as screws, by making use of the through hole provided in the male connector end of each mounting bracket.

[0016] In order to install a second device of the device as a neighbouring device to the first device, one mounting bracket can be inserted in its respective recess of the second device in an orientation in which the female connector end is accessible from the periphery of the second device, and one mounting bracket can be inserted in its respective recess of the second device in an orientation in which the male connector end extends beyond the periphery of the second device. Subsequently, the second device can be arranged next to the first device such that the male connector end of the neighbouring mounting bracket of the first device is received by the female connector end of the mounting bracket having the orientation in which the female connector end is accessible from the periphery of the second device. Finally, the second device can be secured to the surface by means of attachment members, such as screws, by making use of the through hole provided in the male connector end of the mounting bracket having the orientation in which the male connector end extends beyond the periphery of the second device.

[0017] The device makes it possible to install devices close to the surface without increasing the distance between the devices and the surface, as is the case when installing devices using known DIN rails.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the male connector end of each mounting bracket can be provided with a male connector engagement surface and the female connector end of each mounting bracket can be provided with a female connector engagement surface, wherein the male connector engagement surface of the male connector end of each mounting bracket is configured to engage the female connector engagement surface of the female connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device such that movement of the adjacent device is restricted when the male connector end is received by the female connector end of the adjacent mounting bracket. The female connector engagement surface and the male connector engagement surface can be chamfered. The male connector engagement surface of the male connector end of each mounting bracket can be configured to engage the female connector engagement surface of the female connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device such that the adjacent device is pressed against the surface.

[0019] According to another embodiment, each mounting bracket can be inserted into its associated recess by a snap fit. Thus, the mounting brackets can be easily and reliably connected to the at least one device.

[0020] According to yet another embodiment, each mounting bracket can be provided with at least one abutment surface configured to engage a device associated with the mounting bracket in response to the device being attached to a surface by means of an attachment member such as a screw extending through at least one through hole of the male connector end of the mounting bracket, or in response to the female connector end of the mounting bracket receiving an adjacent device adjacent to the male connector end of the mounting bracket.

[0021] According to yet another embodiment, each recess of each device can have an opening facing the periphery of the device such that a mounting bracket associated with the recess can be slidably inserted into the recess from a lateral side of the device.

[0022] According to yet another embodiment, the recesses of each device can form at least one pair of oppositely arranged recesses. The arrangement of oppositely arranged recesses enables several devices to be mounted adjacent to each other to form a row or a column.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment, each device can be rectangular in shape and have a first major surface, an opposite second major surface forming the back side of the device, and four side edges forming the perimeter of the device and extending between the first and second major surfaces. The recess provided in the back surface of each device can include a first recess arranged in a back surface portion adjacent to a first side edge of the four side edges of the device, and a second recess arranged in a back surface portion adjacent to a second side edge of the four side edges of the device, the second side edge being opposite to the first side edge. The recess provided in the back surface of each device can further include a third recess arranged in a back surface portion adjacent to a third side edge of the four side edges of the device, and a fourth recess arranged in a back surface portion adjacent to a fourth side edge of the four side edges of the device, the third side edge being opposite to the fourth side edge. Providing recesses in the back surface portion adjacent to the first, second, third and fourth side edges enables the devices to be attached on a surface to form rows and / or columns.

[0024] According to yet another embodiment, the at least one device can comprise a device in the form of an electronic unit, such as an I / O relay module for an access control system.

[0025] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for attaching a device to a surface, such as a wall, the method comprising: providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention; inserting the mounting brackets with the male connector end of each mounting bracket extending beyond the perimeter of the first device in the associated recess of the first device of the at least one device in an orientation; and attaching the first device to the surface by means of an attachment member, such as a screw, extending through the at least one through hole of the male connector end of each mounting bracket.

[0026] Thus, there is provided an improved method for attaching a device to a surface, such as a wall.

[0027] More specifically, the method enables the device to be efficiently attached to a surface by arranging the mounting brackets of the first device with the male connector end of each mounting bracket extending beyond the perimeter of the first device. Thus, the first device can be secured to the surface by means of an attachment member extending through the through hole of the male connector end of each mounting bracket, while the male connector end can also be used when attaching a subsequent second device to the surface next to the first device.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the method can further comprise: inserting mounting brackets into associated recesses in a second device of the at least one device, wherein a first mounting bracket of the mounting brackets is inserted into the recess associated with the first mounting bracket in an orientation in which the female connector end is accessible from a perimeter of the second device, and wherein a second mounting bracket of the mounting brackets is inserted into the recess associated with the second mounting bracket in an orientation in which the male connector end extends beyond the perimeter of the second device; arranging the second device next to the first device such that the male connector end of one of the mounting brackets of the first device is received by the female connector end of the first of the mounting brackets of the second device; and attaching the second device to the surface by means of an attachment member, such as a screw, extending through at least one through-hole of the male connector end of the second of the mounting brackets of the second device.

[0029] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined in this specification. All references to "a" or "the" something include one or more instances of such something and the instances are affixable on a single item or multiple items. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The above and additional objectives, features and advantages of the present application will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present application, with reference to the appended drawings, in which like reference numerals will be used to refer to like elements throughout the various drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for an apparatus according to the present application.

[0032] Figure 2a is a bottom view of a mounting bracket for an apparatus according to the present application.

[0033] Figure 2b is Figure 2a is a top view of the mounting bracket shown in

[0034] Figure 3 is a bottom view of an apparatus according to the present application.

[0035] Figures 4a-4c is a schematic diagram illustrating steps of an embodiment for attaching an apparatus to a surface according to the present application.

[0036] Figure 5 is a bottom view of a device provided with a mounting bracket that is connected to an adjacent mounting bracket of an adjacent device.

[0037] Figures 6a-6cis a schematic illustration of steps illustrating another embodiment of a device for attaching devices to a surface according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0039] The present invention relates to a device 100, e.g. as illustrated in Figure 4a in order to attach devices 1 to a surface 2, such as a wall.

[0040] The device 100 comprises at least one device 1 and at least two mounting brackets 3 for each device.

[0041] The device 1 can be an electronic unit, such as an I / O relay module for an access control system.

[0042] Figure 1 Embodiments of devices 1 comprised in a device according to the present invention are illustrated in Figure 2a and Figure 2b Embodiments of mounting brackets 3 comprised in a device according to the present invention are illustrated in Figure 2a illustrating a bottom view, Figure 2b illustrating a top view.

[0043] The device 1 has a rear side 4 provided with a recess 5 for each mounting bracket 3 associated with the device 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear side 4 is provided with two recesses 5. Each mounting bracket 3 is insertable in its associated recess 5. In Figure 1 One of the recesses 5 is shown in more detail in the separate enlarged view in

[0044] Each recess 5 can have an opening 14 facing a periphery 10 of the device 1.

[0045] The device 1 can be rectangular in shape and can have a first major surface 15, an opposite second major surface 16 forming the rear side 4 of the device 1, and four side edges 17 forming the periphery 10 of the device 1 and extending between the first and second major surfaces 15, 16.

[0046] The recesses 5 can form at least one pair of oppositely arranged recesses 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 5 form a pair of oppositely arranged recesses 5. More specifically, the recesses 5 provided in the rear surface 4 of the illustrated device 1 comprise a first recess 5 arranged in a rear surface portion 18a adjacent to a first side edge 17a of the four side edges 17 of the device 1 and a second recess 5 arranged in a rear surface portion 18b adjacent to a second side edge 17b of the four side edges 17 of the device 1, the second side edge 17b being opposite to the first side edge 17a. It will be appreciated that the device 1 can also comprise a third recess (not shown) arranged in a rear surface portion 18c adjacent to a third side edge 17c of the four side edges 17 of the device 1 and a fourth recess (not shown) arranged in a rear surface portion 18d adjacent to a fourth side edge 17d of the four side edges 17 of the device 1, the third side edge 17c being opposite to the fourth side edge 17d.

[0047] Each recess 5 can comprise one or more slots 18, each slot 18 being configured to receive a flange 19 of a mounting bracket 3 associated with the recess 5 when the mounting bracket 3 is inserted into the recess 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 5 are provided with two such slots 18 arranged at opposite lateral sides of the recess 5. Thus, the illustrated recesses 5 are configured for receiving mounting brackets 3 provided with two flanges 19.

[0048] As in the illustrated embodiment, each slot 18 can be partly defined by a top surface 20.

[0049] The bottom surface 21 of the recess 5 can be provided with one or more protrusions 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface 21 is provided with two such protrusions 22 arranged in a spaced-apart manner.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, each recess 5 further comprises a protrusion 23 arranged at an end 24 of the recess 5.

[0051] Each mounting bracket 3 comprises two spaced-apart legs 25 connected by a bridge portion 26 and a tongue 27 extending from the bridge portion 26 in a direction opposite to the legs 25. The mounting brackets 3 can be made in one piece.

[0052] Each mounting bracket 3 has a male connector end 6 and a female connector end 7. The male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 is configured to be received by the female connector end 7 of an adjacent mounting bracket 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the male connector end 6 is formed by the tongue 27 and the female connector end 7 is formed by the legs 25 and the bridge portion 26.

[0053] The male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 is provided with a male connector engagement surface 11 and the female connector end 7 of each mounting bracket 3 is provided with a female connector engagement surface 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the male connector engagement surface 11 is formed by a bottom surface 28 of the tongue 27 and the female connector engagement surface 12 is formed by a top surface 29 of the bridge portion 26. Figure 2a ,Figure 2b In the embodiment shown, the mounting bracket 3 is provided with two such male connector engagement surfaces 11 and two such female connector engagement surfaces 12. As in the shown embodiment, the male connector engagement surfaces 11 and the female connector engagement surfaces 12 can be chamfered.

[0054] The male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 is provided with at least one through hole 8 for receiving an attachment member, such as a screw. In the shown embodiment, the male connector end 6 is provided with two such countersunk through holes 8.

[0055] The male connector engagement surface 11 of the male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 is configured to engage the female connector engagement surface 12 of the female connector end 7 in the adjacent mounting bracket 3 associated with the adjacent device 1, such that movement of the adjacent device 1 is restricted when the male connector end 6 is received by the female connector end 7 of the adjacent mounting bracket 3.

[0056] The distal end 28 of the male connector end 6 of the mounting bracket 3 can be provided with a notch 29.

[0057] The mounting bracket 3 can further be provided with a central recess 30 in a surface of the mounting bracket 3, the central recess 30 being configured to face away from the device 1 when the mounting bracket 3 is inserted into its associated recess 5.

[0058] The mounting bracket 3 can further be provided with at least one abutment surface 13 configured to engage the device 1 associated therewith. In the shown embodiment, the mounting bracket 3 comprises two opposing lateral flanges 19, each flange 19 extending along a respective leg 25 of the mounting bracket 3 and comprising one such abutment surface 13.

[0059] In the shown embodiment, each leg 25 is further provided with an opening 31. Each leg 25 is further provided with a first guide slot 32a and a second guide slot 32b extending in a longitudinal direction of the leg 25. The first guide slot 32a and the second guide slot 32b are provided in a surface of the mounting bracket 3 configured to face the device 1 when the mounting bracket 3 is inserted into its associated recess 5. The first guide slot 32a extends from a male connector end side of the mounting bracket 3 with an upward slope towards the opening 31. The second guide slot 32b extends from a female connector end side of the mounting bracket 3 with an upward slope towards the opening 31.

[0060] As mentioned above, each mounting bracket 3 is insertable into its associated recess 5 of the device 1.

[0061] More specifically, each mounting bracket 3 can be inserted into the recess 5 associated with that mounting bracket 3 in an orientation in which the male connector end 6 extends beyond the perimeter 10 of the device 1 and in an orientation in which the female connector end 7 is accessible from the perimeter 10 of the device 1. Thus, each mounting bracket 3 can be inserted into the recess 5 of the device 1 in two possible orientations.

[0062] In the now-referenced Figure 3 , a device 1 of the type described above with reference to Figure 1 is shown, in which a first mounting bracket 3 is inserted into a first recess 5 of the device in an orientation in which the male connector end 6 extends beyond the perimeter 10 of the device 1 and a second mounting bracket 3 is inserted into a second recess 5 of the device 1 in an orientation in which the female connector end 7 is accessible from the perimeter 10 of the device 1. The mounting brackets 3 are of the type described above with reference to Figure 2a and Figure 2b . In Figure 3 , the device 1 is depicted in a bottom view illustrating the back side 4 of the device.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, each mounting bracket 3 is slidably inserted into the recess 5 associated with that mounting bracket 3 from a lateral side of the device 1 via an opening 14 in the recess 5 facing the perimeter 10 of the device 1.

[0064] Each mounting bracket 3 can be inserted into its associated recess 5 by a snap fit. In the illustrated embodiment, protrusions 22 provided on a bottom surface 21 of each recess 5 cooperate with the guide slots 32a, 32b and the opening 31 of the mounting bracket 3 to achieve the snap fit. When the first mounting bracket 3 is inserted, the protrusions 22 of the first recess 5 will first be received by the second guide slot 32b of the first mounting bracket 3 and then be guided toward the opening 31 of the first mounting bracket 3 in response to the insertion of the first mounting bracket 3 into the first recess. When the protrusions 22 reach the opening 31, they will snap into the opening 31. Correspondingly, when the second mounting bracket 3 is inserted, the protrusions 22 of the second recess 5 will first be received by the first guide slot 32a of the second mounting bracket 3 and then be guided toward the opening 31 of the second mounting bracket 3 in response to the insertion of the second mounting bracket 3 into the second recess 5. When the protrusions 22 reach the opening 31, they will snap into the opening 31.

[0065] When each mounting bracket 3 is inserted into its associated recess 5, two opposing lateral flanges 19 of the mounting bracket 3 are received by the two slots 18 at opposing lateral sides of the recess 5. The flanges 19 are received by the slots 18 such that the abutment surface 13 of each flange 19 faces the top surface 20 of the associated slot 18.

[0066] As mentioned above, each recess 5 comprises a protrusion 23 arranged at an end 24 of the recess 5, and each mounting bracket 3 has a male connector end 6 having a distal end 28 provided with a recess 29. As will be apparent from Figure 3 As will be apparent, a second mounting bracket 3 inserted in the orientation in which the female connector end 7 of the device 1 is accessible from the perimeter 10 of the device 1 into the recess 5 associated with the second mounting bracket 3 is inserted such that the protrusion 23 of the recess 5 is received by the recess 29 of the second mounting bracket 3. Thereby, a guidance ensuring the correct insertion of the second mounting bracket 3 is achieved.

[0067] As mentioned above, each mounting bracket 3 can be provided with a central recess 30 in a surface of the mounting bracket 3, the central recess 30 being configured to face away from the device 1 when the mounting bracket 3 is inserted into its associated recess 5. Figure 3 The mounting brackets 3 each illustrated in the figures are provided with such a recess 30, which can be used for removing the mounting bracket 3 from the device 1. More specifically, by placing a tip of a tool inside the recess 30 to establish a grip, each recess 30 enables the mounting bracket 3 to be removed by means of a tool such as a screwdriver, which can be used to manipulate the mounting bracket 3 to be pushed out of the recess 5.

[0068] Figures 4a-4c A method for attaching a device 100 to a surface 2, such as a wall, is illustrated in the figures. The device 100 comprises a device 1 of the type described above with reference to Figure 1 a mounting bracket 3 of the type described above with reference to Figures 2a-2b In the figures, the device 100 is depicted in a top view illustrating a first major surface 15 corresponding to a front side of the device 1.

[0069] In Figure 4a a first device 1 of the device 100 is provided.

[0070] The first device 1 is provided with recesses 5, which form a pair of oppositely arranged recesses 5 into which the mounting brackets 3 are inserted in an orientation in which the male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 extends beyond the perimeter 10 of the first device 1.

[0071] The first device 1 is attached to the surface 2 by means of attachment members 9, which extend through the through hole 8 of the male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment members 9 are in the form of screws, which are schematically depicted.

[0072] Each abutment surface 13 of the mounting bracket 3 is configured to engage the device 1 in response to the attachment of the first device 1 to the surface 2 by means of the attachment members 9, such that the first device 1 is pressed against the surface 1. In the illustrated embodiment, when the attachment members 9 are in the form of screws, each abutment surface 13 is configured to press against the top surface 20 of each slot 18, thereby causing the first device 1 to be pressed against the surface 2.

[0073] In Figure 4b , a first device 1 is shown attached to a surface 2 by attachment means 9, and a second and a third device 1 are provided.

[0074] Each of the second and third device 1 is provided with a recess 5, which forms a pair of oppositely arranged recesses 5 into which mounting brackets 3 have been inserted, one mounting bracket 3 inserted into a recess 5 with the orientation that the male connector end 6 extends beyond the perimeter 10 of the respective device 1, one mounting bracket 3 (not visible) inserted into a recess 5 with the orientation that the female connector end 7 is accessible from the perimeter 10 of the respective device 1.

[0075] The second device 1 is arranged adjacent to the first device 1 on the left side of the first device 1, and the third device 1 is arranged adjacent to the first device 1 on the right side of the first device 1. Subsequently, the second and third device 1 are moved towards the first device 1 such that the male connector end 6 of the mounting brackets 3 of the first device 1 are inserted into the female connector end 7 of the adjacent mounting brackets 3 of the adjacent second and third device 1, as shown in Figure 4c .

[0076] In Figure 5 , it is more clearly illustrated that the male connector end 6 of the mounting brackets 3 is received by the female connector end 7 of the adjacent mounting brackets 3, now referring to Figure 5 .

[0077] When the male connector end 6 of the mounting brackets 3 of the first device 1 is received by the respective female connector end 7 of the adjacent mounting brackets 3 of the adjacent second and third device 1, the male connector engagement surface 11 of the mounting brackets 3 of the first device 1 will engage the female engagement surface 12 of the mounting brackets 3 of the second and third device 1, such that the movement of the adjacent second and third device 1 is restricted. In the illustrated embodiment, the male connector engagement surface 11 and the female connector engagement surface 12 are chamfered, such that the adjacent mounting brackets 3 of the adjacent second and third device 1 are pressed against the surface 2. More specifically, the chamfered male connector engagement surface 11 and the female connector engagement surface 12 will cause the adjacent mounting brackets 3 to be pressed against the surface 2, which in turn will cause the abutment surface 13 of the adjacent mounting brackets 3 to be pressed against the top surface 20 of the groove 18 of the recess 5 of the second and third device 1, such that they are pressed against the surface 2.

[0078] Subsequently, the second and third device 1 can be fixed to the surface 2 by means of the attachment means 9, e.g. in the form of screws. In the figures, the second device 1 on the left has not yet been fixed by means of screws, whereas the third device 1 on the right has been fixed to the surface 2 by means of screws.

[0079] It should be understood that the device of the present invention can be used to attach devices to each other in a pattern of rows and / or columns adjacent to each other. InFigures 4a-4c In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the device 100 is used to attach the apparatus 1 to each other adjacent in a row pattern.

[0080] In Figures 6a-6c Fig. 1, an embodiment of the invention is shown in which the apparatus 1 of the device 100 are attached to the surface 2 adjacent to each other in a row and column pattern. In this embodiment, at least one apparatus 1 is provided with two pairs of opposite recesses 5, i.e. four recesses 5. As Figure 6a shown in Fig. 1, the mounting bracket 3 is inserted in each of these recesses 5 with the male connector end 6 extending beyond the perimeter 10 of the first apparatus 1, and is then attached to the surface 2. The second, third, fourth and fifth apparatus 1 are subsequently arranged next to the first apparatus 1 on all sides, connected to the mounting bracket 3 of the first apparatus and attached to the surface, similar to the above with reference to Figures 4a-4c Fig. 2. This is shown in Figure 6b and Figure 6c Fig. 3.

[0081] It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Several modifications and variations are therefore conceivable within the scope of the invention, which is thus only limited by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A means for attaching a device to a surface, the means comprising: At least one device, and For each device, at least two mounting brackets are required. Each device has a rear side, which is provided with a recess for each mounting bracket associated with the device. Each mounting bracket has a male connector end. Each male connector end is provided with at least one through hole for receiving an attachment component. Each mounting bracket can be oriented to extend beyond the periphery of the device into a recess associated with the mounting bracket. The feature is that each mounting bracket further has a female connector end, the male connector end being configured to be received by the female connector end of a neighboring mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device, and Each mounting bracket can be oriented to be inserted into a recess associated with the mounting bracket from the periphery of the device, close to the end of the female connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the male connector end of each mounting bracket is provided with a male connector engagement surface, and the female connector end of each mounting bracket is provided with a female connector engagement surface, wherein the male connector engagement surface of the male connector end of each mounting bracket is configured to engage the female connector engagement surface of the female connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device, such that when the male connector end is received by the female connector end of the adjacent mounting bracket, movement of the adjacent device is restricted.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mating surfaces of the female connector and the male connector are chamfered.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each mounting bracket can be inserted into its associated recess by a snap-fit ​​engagement.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each mounting bracket is provided with at least one abutting surface, the at least one abutting surface being configured to engage the device associated with the mounting bracket by attaching the device to the surface such that the device presses against the surface in response to the attachment member extending through at least one through-hole of the male connector end of the mounting bracket, or by receiving the female connector of the adjacent mounting bracket of an adjacent device at the female connector end of the mounting bracket such that the device presses against the surface in response to the female connector of the adjacent mounting bracket receiving the female connector of the male connector end of an adjacent device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each recess of each device has an opening facing the periphery of the device, such that the mounting bracket associated with the recess can be slidably inserted into the recess from the lateral side of the device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the recess of each device forms at least a pair of oppositely arranged recesses.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each device is rectangular in shape and has: a first main surface; an opposing second main surface forming the rear side of the device; and four side edges forming the periphery of the device and extending between the first main surface and the second main surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the recess provided in the rear side of each device comprises: A first recess is disposed in a rear surface portion adjacent to a first side edge of the four side edges of the device; And a second recess, disposed in a rear surface portion adjacent to a second side edge of the four side edges of the device, the second side edge being opposite to the first side edge.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the recess provided in the rear side of each device further comprises: The third recess is disposed in the rear surface portion adjacent to the third side edge of the four side edges of the device; And a fourth recess, disposed in a rear surface portion adjacent to the fourth side edge of the four side edges of the device, the third side edge being opposite to the fourth side edge.

11. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one device comprises a device in the form of an electronic unit.

12. A method for attaching a device to a surface, the method comprising: Provide the apparatus according to claim 1, The mounting brackets are inserted into the associated recess of the first device in the at least one device, with each mounting bracket's male connector end extending beyond the periphery of the first device. The first device is attached to the surface by means of an attachment member extending through at least one through hole at the male connector end of each mounting bracket.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: A mounting bracket is inserted into an associated recess of the second device in the at least one device, wherein a first mounting bracket of the mounting bracket is oriented to be inserted into the recess associated with the first mounting bracket with its end oriented from the periphery of the second device near the female connector end, and wherein a second mounting bracket of the mounting bracket is oriented to be inserted into the recess associated with the second mounting bracket with its end oriented to extend beyond the periphery of the second device. The second device is positioned next to the first device such that the male connector end of one mounting bracket of the first device is received by the female connector end of the first mounting bracket in the mounting bracket of the second device. The second device is attached to the surface by means of an attachment member that extends through at least one through hole of the male connector end of the second mounting bracket in the mounting bracket of the second device.

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