Arrangement for mounting a device on a surface and method for mounting an arrangement on a surface - Patent Application 20070122997

Abstract

To provide an arrangement structure for attaching a device to a surface of a wall or the like.SOLUTION: An arrangement structure comprises at least one device (1), and at least two attachment brackets (3) with respect to each device (1). In each device (1), each attachment bracket (3) has a male connector end part (6) and a female connector end part (7), and the male connector end part (6) is constituted so as to be acceptable by the female connector end part (7) of the adjacent attachment bracket (3) which is associated with the adjacent device (1). Each attachment bracket (3) is insertable into an associated recess in an orientation in which the male connector end part (6) extends while exceeding a periphery of the device (1), and each attachment bracket (3) is insertable into the associated recess (3) in an orientation in which the female connector end part (7) is accessible from a periphery of the device (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for mounting a device on a surface and a method for mounting such an arrangement on a surface. [Background technology]

[0002] In many situations, it may be desirable to mount the devices on a surface such as a wall. The devices may be arranged in one or more arrays, i.e., adjacent to each other.

[0003] The device may comprise an electronic unit, such as an I / O relay module for an access control system, for example.

[0004] Often a mounting bracket is used to support the device, and the mounting bracket is attached to a surface, for example by screws.

[0005] CA2585947A1 discloses such an arrangement for mounting a device on a surface.

[0006] Mounting some devices with such mounting brackets can be time consuming, and therefore there is a need for improved arrangements for mounting devices to surfaces. Summary of the Invention

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

[0008] It is also an object to provide such an arrangement which allows for easier and faster installation of the device.

[0009] A further object is to provide a method for attaching such an arrangement to a surface.

[0010] According to the present invention, in order to achieve at least one of the above objects and other objects that will become apparent from the following description, an arrangement having the features defined in claim 1 and a method having the features defined in claim 12 are provided. Preferred embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0011] More specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an arrangement for mounting devices to a surface such as a wall, the arrangement comprising at least one device and at least two mounting brackets for each device, each device having a rear face provided with a recess for each mounting bracket associated with the device, each mounting bracket having a male connector end and a female connector end, the male connector end configured to be received by the female connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device, each male connector end comprising at least one through hole for receiving an attachment means such as a screw, each mounting bracket being insertable into its associated recess in an orientation such that the male connector end extends beyond the periphery of the device and each mounting bracket being insertable into its associated recess in an orientation such that the female connector end is accessible from the periphery of the device.

[0012] This provides an improved arrangement for mounting the device on a surface such as a wall.

[0013] More specifically, the arrangement allows for the use of already mounted or installed devices when mounting or attaching subsequent devices, thereby facilitating and speeding up the process of mounting the arrangement to a surface.

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

[0015] Thus, when mounting the first device of the arrangement, each mounting bracket may be inserted into a respective recess of the first device with the male connector end oriented to extend beyond the periphery of the first device, thereby allowing the first device to be attached to a surface by attachment means such as screws using the through holes provided in the aforementioned male connector end of each mounting bracket.

[0016] To mount a second device in the arrangement adjacent to a first device, one mounting bracket may be inserted into each recess of the second device with the female connector end oriented so that it is accessible from the periphery of the second device, and one mounting bracket may be inserted into each recess of the second device with the male connector end oriented so that it extends beyond the periphery of the second device. The second device may then be positioned adjacent to the first device such that the male end connector of the adjacent mounting bracket of the first device is received by the female connector end of the mounting bracket oriented so that the female connector end is accessible from the periphery of the second device. Finally, the second device may be secured to a surface with an attachment means, such as a screw, by utilizing the through-holes provided in the male connector end of the mounting bracket oriented so that the male connector end extends beyond the periphery of the second device.

[0017] This arrangement allows the device to be mounted flush against a surface without adding additional distance between the device and the surface, as occurs when mounting a device using known DIN rails.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the male connector end of each mounting bracket may be provided with a male connector engaging surface and the female connector end of each mounting bracket may be provided with a female connector engaging surface configured to engage with the female connector engaging 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 engaging surface and the male connector engaging surface may be chamfered. The male connector engaging surface of the male connector end of each mounting bracket may be configured to engage with the female connector engaging surface of the female connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device such that the adjacent device is pressed against a surface.

[0019] According to another embodiment, each mounting bracket may be insertable into its associated recess with a snap fit, allowing for easy and secure connection of the mounting bracket to at least one device.

[0020] According to yet another embodiment, each mounting bracket may comprise at least one abutment surface configured to engage with its associated device in response to mounting the device to a surface by an attachment means such as a screw extending through at least one through-hole in the male connector end of the mounting bracket, or in response to the male end connector of an adjacent mounting bracket of an adjacent device being received by the female connector end of the mounting bracket as the device is pressed against the surface.

[0021] According to yet another embodiment, each recess in 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 the side of the device.

[0022] According to yet another embodiment, the recesses of each device can form at least one pair of oppositely disposed recesses, which arrangement of oppositely disposed recesses allows several devices to be mounted adjacent to each other to form rows or columns.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment, each device may be rectangular in shape and have a first major surface, an opposing second major surface forming the rear surface of the device, and four side edges extending between the first and second major surfaces that form a periphery of the device. The recesses on the rear surface of each device may include a first recess located on the rear surface adjacent to a first of the four side edges of the device and a second recess located on the rear surface adjacent to a second of the four side edges of the device, the second side edge being opposite the first side edge. The recesses on the rear surface of each device may further include a third recess located on the rear surface adjacent to a third of the four side edges of the device and a fourth recess located on the rear surface adjacent to a fourth of the four side edges of the device, the third side edge being opposite the fourth side edge. Recesses in the rear surface adjacent the first, second, third and fourth side edges allow for attachment of the devices to a surface to form rows and / or columns.

[0024] According to yet another embodiment, the at least one device may 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 an arrangement to a surface such as a wall, comprising the steps of: There is provided a method comprising providing an arrangement according to a first aspect of the invention, inserting a mounting bracket into an associated recess of a first device of said at least one device with the male connector end of each mounting bracket oriented so that the male connector end of each mounting bracket extends beyond the periphery of the first device, and attaching the first device to a surface by attachment means such as a screw extending through at least one through hole in the male connector end of each mounting bracket.

[0026] This provides an improved method for attaching an arrangement to a surface such as a wall.

[0027] More specifically, the method allows for efficient attachment of devices to a surface by orienting the mounting brackets of a first device such that the male connector end of each mounting bracket extends beyond the periphery of the first device, such that the first device may be secured to the surface by attachment means extending through trough holes in the male connector end of each mounting bracket, while the male connector end may also be utilized when attaching a subsequent second device to the surface adjacent the first device.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the method may further include inserting mounting brackets into associated recesses of a second of the at least one device, wherein a first of the mounting brackets is inserted into its associated recess with a female connector end that is accessible from the periphery of the second device and a second of the mounting brackets is inserted into its associated recess with a male connector end that extends beyond the periphery of the second device; positioning the second device adjacent to the first device such that a male connector end of one of the mounting brackets of the first device is received by a female connector end of a first of the mounting brackets of the second device; and attaching the second device to a surface by attachment means such as a screw extending through at least one through-hole in the male connector end of a second of the mounting brackets of the second device.

[0029] In general, all terms used in the claims should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the art unless otherwise expressly defined herein. All references to "a / an / the element, device, component, means, step, etc." should be interpreted non-limitingly as referring to at least one example of the aforementioned element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless otherwise specified. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

[0030] The above and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used for like elements, and in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for an arrangement according to the invention; [Figure 2a] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a mounting bracket for an arrangement according to the present invention. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2b is a top view of the mounting bracket shown in FIG. 2a. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an arrangement according to the present invention. [Figure 4a] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps of an embodiment according to the invention for attaching an arrangement to a surface; [Figure 4b] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps of an embodiment according to the invention for attaching an arrangement to a surface; [Figure 4c] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the steps of an embodiment according to the invention for attaching an arrangement to a surface; [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a bottom view showing a device with a mounting bracket connected to an adjacent mounting bracket of an adjacent device. [Figure 6a] 5A-5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the steps of another embodiment according to the present invention for attaching an arrangement to a surface. [Figure 6b] 5A-5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the steps of another embodiment according to the present invention for attaching an arrangement to a surface. [Figure 6c] 5A-5C are schematic diagrams illustrating the steps of another embodiment according to the present invention for attaching an arrangement to a surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This 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 for thoroughness and completeness, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0033] The present invention relates to an arrangement 100 for mounting a device 1 on a surface 2, such as a wall, as shown for example in Figure 4a.

[0034] The arrangement 100 comprises at least one device 1 and at least two mounting brackets 3 for each device.

[0035] The device 1 may be an electronic unit such as an I / O relay module for an access control system.

[0036] An embodiment of a device 1 included in an arrangement according to the invention is shown in Figure 1, and an embodiment of a mounting bracket 3 included in an arrangement according to the invention is shown in Figures 2a and 2b, where Figure 2a shows a bottom view and Figure 2b shows a top view.

[0037] The device 1 has a rear face 4 provided with a recess 5 for each mounting bracket 3 associated with the device 1. In the illustrated embodiment, two recesses 5 are provided in the rear face 4. Each mounting bracket 3 is insertable into its associated recess 5. One of the recesses 5 is shown in more detail in the exploded view of FIG. 1.

[0038] Each recess 5 may have an opening 14 facing the periphery 10 of the device 1 .

[0039] The device 1 may be rectangular in shape and may have a first major surface 15, an opposing second major surface 16 that forms the aforementioned rear surface 4 of the device 1, and four side edges 17 that form the aforementioned perimeter 10 of the device 1 and extend between the first major surface 15 and the second major surface 16.

[0040] The recesses 5 may form at least one pair of oppositely disposed recesses 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 5 form a single pair of oppositely disposed recesses 5. More specifically, the recesses 5 provided on the rear surface 4 of the illustrated device 1 include a first recess 5 disposed on 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 disposed on 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 the first side edge 17a. It will be understood that the device 1 may also have a third recess (not shown) arranged in the rear surface 18c adjacent to the third side edge 17c of the four side edges 17 of the device 1, and a fourth recess (not shown) arranged in the rear surface 18d adjacent to the fourth side edge 17d of the four side edges 17 of the device 1, the third side edge 17c being on the opposite side of the fourth side edge 17d.

[0041] Each recess 5 may include one or more grooves 18, each 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 recess 5 is provided with two such grooves 18, located on opposite sides of the recess 5. The illustrated recess 5 is therefore configured to receive a mounting bracket 3 with two flanges 19.

[0042] Each groove 18 may be partially defined by an upper surface 20, as in the illustrated embodiment.

[0043] The bottom surface 21 of the recess 5 may be provided with one or more protrusions 22. In the embodiment shown, the bottom surface 21 is provided with two such protrusions 22 arranged at a distance from one another.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, each recess 5 further comprises a protrusion 23 arranged at an end 24 of the recess 5 .

[0045] Each mounting bracket 3 comprises two spaced apart legs 25 connected by a bridging portion 26 and a tongue 27 extending from the bridging portion 26 in a direction opposite to the legs 25. The mounting brackets 3 may be made in one piece.

[0046] 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 defined by a tongue portion 27, and the female connector end 7 is defined by legs 25 and a bridging portion 26.

[0047] The male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 is provided with a male connector engaging surface 11, and the female connector end 7 of each mounting bracket 3 is provided with a female connector engaging surface 12. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the mounting bracket 3 is provided with two such male connector engaging surfaces 11 and two such female connector engaging surfaces 12. The male connector engaging surfaces 11 and female connector engaging surfaces 12 may be chamfered as in the embodiment shown.

[0048] The male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 is provided with at least one through hole 8 for receiving a mounting means such as a screw. In the illustrated embodiment, the male connector end 6 is provided with two such through holes 8 which are countersunk holes.

[0049] The male connector engaging surface 11 of the male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 is configured to engage with the female connector engaging surface 12 of the female connector end 7 of the adjacent mounting bracket 3 associated with the adjacent device 1 so 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.

[0050] The distal end 28 of the male connector end 6 of the mounting bracket 3 may be provided with a notch 29 .

[0051] The mounting bracket 3 may further comprise a central recess 30 on a surface of the mounting bracket 3 configured to face away from the device 1 when the mounting bracket 3 is inserted into its associated recess 5.

[0052] The mounting bracket 3 may further comprise at least one abutment surface 13 configured to engage its associated device 1. In the illustrated 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.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, each leg 25 further includes an opening 31. Each leg 25 further includes first and second guide grooves 32a, 32b extending longitudinally of the leg 25. The first and second guide grooves 32a, 32b are provided on 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 groove 32a extends from the side of the male connector end of the mounting bracket 3 at an upward slope toward the opening 31. The second guide groove 32b extends from the side of the female connector end of the mounting bracket 3 at an upward slope toward the opening 31.

[0054] As mentioned above, each mounting bracket 3 is insertable into an associated recess 5 in the device 1 .

[0055] More specifically, each mounting bracket 3 is insertable into its associated recess 5 with the male connector end 6 extending beyond the perimeter 10 of the device 1 and the female connector end 7 accessible from the perimeter 10 of the device 1. Thus, each mounting bracket 3 is insertable into its recess 5 in two possible orientations.

[0056] In Figure 3, to which reference is now made, a device 1 of the type described above with reference to Figure 1 is shown with a first mounting bracket 3 inserted into a first recess 5 of the device with the male connector end 6 oriented to extend beyond the periphery 10 of the device 1, and a second mounting bracket 3 inserted into a second recess 5 of the device 1 with the female connector end 7 oriented to be accessible from the periphery 10 of the device 1. The mounting brackets 3 are of the type described above with reference to Figures 2a and 2b. In Figure 3, the device is shown in a bottom view showing the rear face 4 of the device 1.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, each mounting bracket 3 is slidably insertable into an associated recess 5 from the side of the device 1 , via an opening 14 in the recess 5 facing the periphery 10 of the device 1 .

[0058] Each mounting bracket 3 is insertable into its associated recess 5 with a snap fit. In the illustrated embodiment, a protrusion 22 provided on the bottom surface 21 of each recess 5 cooperates with the guide grooves 32 a, 32 b and the opening 31 of the mounting bracket 3 to enable the aforementioned snap fit. When a first mounting bracket 3 is inserted, the protrusion 22 of the first recess 5 is first received by the second guide groove 32 b of the first mounting bracket 3 and then guided toward the opening 31 of the first mounting bracket 3 in response to insertion of the first mounting bracket 3 into the first recess 5. When the protrusion 22 reaches the opening 31, the protrusion fits into the opening 31. Correspondingly, when a second mounting bracket 3 is inserted, the protrusion 22 of the second recess 5 is first received by the first guide groove 32 a of the second mounting bracket 3 and then guided toward the opening 31 of the second mounting bracket 3 in response to insertion of the second mounting bracket 3 into the second recess 5. When the protrusion 22 reaches the opening 31 , the protrusion fits into the opening 31 .

[0059] 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 two grooves 18 located on opposite sides of the recess 5. The flanges 19 are received by the grooves 18 such that the abutment surface 13 of each flange 19 faces the upper surface 20 of the associated groove 18.

[0060] As mentioned above, each recess 5 includes a protrusion 23 located at an end 24 of the recess 5, and each mounting bracket 3 has a male connector end 6 with a distal end 28 provided with a notch 29. As is clear from Figure 3, the second mounting bracket 3 is inserted into the associated recess 5 with the female connector end 7 accessible from the periphery 10 of the device 1 such that the protrusion 23 of the recess 5 is received by the notch 29 of the second mounting bracket 3. This provides a guide that ensures accurate insertion of the second mounting bracket 3.

[0061] As mentioned above, each mounting bracket 3 may include a central recess 30 on a surface thereof that is configured to face away from the device 1 when the mounting bracket 3 is inserted into its associated recess 5. The mounting brackets 3 shown in FIG. 3 are each provided with such a recess 30, which can be used to remove the mounting bracket 3 from the device 1. More specifically, each recess 30 allows the mounting bracket 3 to be removed with a tool, such as a screwdriver, by placing the tip of the tool inside the recess 30 to establish a grip that allows the mounting bracket 3 to be pushed out of the recess 5.

[0062] A method of mounting an arrangement 100 on a surface 2, such as a wall, is shown in Figures 4a-4c. The arrangement 100 comprises a device 1 of the type described above with reference to Figure 1 and a mounting bracket 3 of the type described above with reference to Figures 2a-2b. In the figures, the arrangement 100 is shown in a top view showing a first major surface 15, which corresponds to the front of the device 1.

[0063] In Figure 4a, a first device 1 of an arrangement 100 is provided.

[0064] The first device 1 is provided with recesses 5 forming a pair of oppositely arranged recesses 5 into which the mounting brackets 3 are inserted, with the male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3 oriented to extend beyond the periphery 10 of the first device 1.

[0065] The first device 1 is attached to the surface 2 by attachment means 9 which extend through the through holes 8 in the male connector end 6 of each mounting bracket 3. In the embodiment shown, attachment means 9 in the form of screws, shown diagrammatically, are used.

[0066] Each abutment surface 13 of the mounting bracket 3 is configured to engage with the device 1 in response to mounting the first device 1 to the surface 2 by the mounting means 9, such that the first device 1 is pressed against the surface 1. In the illustrated embodiment, each abutment surface 13 is configured to press against an upper surface 20 of a respective groove 18 when mounting means 9 in the form of a screw is used, thereby pressing the first device 1 against the surface 2.

[0067] In Figure 4b, a first device 1 is shown attached to a surface 2 by attachment means 9, with a second and third device 1 provided.

[0068] Each of the second and third devices 1 comprises recesses 5 forming a pair of oppositely arranged recesses 5 into which mounting brackets 3 are inserted, one mounting bracket 3 oriented so that its male connector end 6 extends beyond the periphery 10 of the respective device 1, and one mounting bracket 3 (not visible) oriented so that its female connector end 7 is accessible from the periphery 10 of the respective device 1.

[0069] The second device 1 is positioned next to the first device 1 on the left side of the first device 1, and the third device 1 is positioned next to the first device 1 on the right side of the first device 1. The second and third devices 1 are then moved toward the first device 1 such that the male connector ends 6 of the mounting brackets 3 of the first device 1 are inserted into the female connector ends 7 of the adjacent mounting brackets 3 of the adjacent second and third devices 1, as shown in FIG.

[0070] The male connector end 6 of the mounting bracket 3 being received by the female connector end 7 of an adjacent mounting bracket 3 is more clearly shown in FIG. 5, to which reference is also made here.

[0071] When the male connector end 6 of the mounting bracket 3 of the first device 1 is received by the respective female connector ends 7 of the adjacent mounting brackets 3 of the adjacent second and third devices 1, the male connector engaging surfaces 11 of the mounting bracket 3 of the first device 1 engage with the female engaging surfaces 12 of the mounting brackets 3 of the second and third devices 1 such that movement of the adjacent second and third devices 1 is restricted. In the illustrated embodiment, the male connector engaging surfaces 11 and the female connector engaging surfaces 12 are chamfered so that the adjacent mounting brackets 3 of the adjacent second and third devices 1 are pressed against the surface 2. More specifically, the chamfered male and female connector engaging surfaces 11, 12 cause the adjacent mounting brackets 3 to press against the surface 2, such that the abutment surfaces 13 of the adjacent mounting brackets 3 press against the upper surfaces 20 of the grooves 18 of the recesses 5 of the second and third devices 1, thereby pressing them against the surface 2.

[0072] The second and third devices 1 may then be fixed to the surface 2 by attachment means 9, for example in the form of screws. In the figure, the second device 1 on the left has not yet been fixed by a screw, while the third device 1 on the right has been fixed to the surface 2 by a screw.

[0073] It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the present invention may be used to mount devices adjacent to one another in a row and / or column pattern. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4a-4c, the arrangement 100 is used to mount devices 1 adjacent to one another in a row pattern.

[0074] 6a-6c show an embodiment of the present invention in which devices 1 of an arrangement 100 are mounted adjacent to one another in a row and column pattern on a surface 2. In this embodiment, at least one device 1 includes two pairs of opposing recesses 5, i.e., four recesses 5. A mounting bracket 3 is inserted into each of these recesses 5 with the male connector end 6 oriented so that it extends beyond the periphery 10 of the first device 1 and is then attached to the surface 2, as shown in FIG. 7a. Second, third, fourth, and fifth devices 1 are then positioned adjacent to the first device 1 on all sides, connected to the first device's mounting bracket 3, and attached to the surface in a similar manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 4a-4c. This is shown in FIGS. 6b and 6c.

[0075] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, and therefore, modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention, which is defined exclusively by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An arrangement for mounting a device on a surface such as a wall, comprising: at least one device; For each device, at least two mounting brackets and Equipped with each device having a rear face provided with a recess for each mounting bracket associated with said 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 means such as a screw; each mounting bracket is insertable into its associated recess with the male connector end oriented to extend beyond the periphery of the device; each mounting bracket further having a female connector end configured to be received by the female connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket associated with an adjacent device; each mounting bracket is insertable into its associated recess with the female connector end oriented so that the female connector end is accessible from the periphery of the device; Arrangement structure.

2. 2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the male connector end of each mounting bracket is provided with a male connector engaging surface and the female connector end of each mounting bracket is provided with a female connector engaging surface configured to engage the female connector engaging surface of the female connector end of the adjacent mounting bracket associated with the 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.

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

4. 2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein each mounting bracket is insertable into its associated recess by a snap fit.

5. An arrangement structure as described in claim 1, wherein each mounting bracket is provided with at least one abutment surface configured to engage with its associated device in response to the device being attached to the surface by an attachment means such as a screw extending through the at least one through hole in the male connector end of the mounting bracket so that the device is pressed against the surface, or in response to the male connector end of an adjacent mounting bracket of an adjacent device being received by the female connector end of the mounting bracket so that the device is pressed against the surface.

6. 2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein each recess in each device has an opening facing the periphery of the device such that the mounting bracket associated with the recess is slidably insertable into the recess from a side of the device.

7. 2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein the recesses of each device form at least one pair of oppositely disposed recesses.

8. 2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein each device is rectangular in shape and has a first major surface, an opposing second major surface that forms the rear surface of the device, and four side edges that form the periphery of the device and extend between the first and second major surfaces.

9. 9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein the recesses on the rear surface of each device comprise a first recess located in a portion of the rear surface adjacent a first of the four side edges of the device, and a second recess located in a portion of the rear surface opposite the first side edge adjacent a second of the four side edges of the device.

10. 10. The arrangement of claim 9, wherein the recesses on the rear surface of each device further comprise: a third recess located in a portion of the rear surface adjacent a third of the four side edges of the device; and a fourth recess located in a portion of the rear surface opposite the third side edge adjacent a fourth of the four side edges of the device.

11. 11. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one device comprises a device in the form of an electronic unit.

12. 1. A method for attaching an arrangement to a surface such as a wall, comprising: Providing an arrangement according to claim 1; inserting a mounting bracket into the associated recess of a first device of the at least one device with the male connector end of each mounting bracket oriented to extend beyond the perimeter of the first device; attaching the first device to the surface by attachment means such as screws extending through the at least one through-hole in the male connector end of each mounting bracket; A method comprising:

13. inserting mounting brackets into the associated recesses of a second one of the at least one device, wherein a first one of the mounting brackets is inserted into its associated recess with the female connector end oriented so that it is accessible from the periphery of the second device, and a second one of the mounting brackets is inserted into its associated recess with the male connector end oriented so that it extends beyond the periphery of the second device; positioning the second device adjacent 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; attaching the second device to the surface by an attachment means, such as a screw, extending through the at least one through-hole in the male connector end of the second mounting bracket of the second device; 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

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