AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicantss: Legrand Australia Pty Ltd Invention Title: ELECTRICAL FITTING The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: - 2 ELECTRICAL FITTING FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 5 The disclosure relates to an electrical fitting for affixing electrical componentry such as a switch or a socket to a surface of a structure. BACKGROUND TO THE DISCLOSURE 10 Electrical fittings for affixing electrical components such as switches and sockets to the surface of a structure such as a wall commonly comprise a plate affixed to the wall and retaining the electrical components. Such is electrical fittings increasingly include a modular configuration, allowing for a wall plate to include a grid or frame which retains a module along with covers such as fascia plates. Modules allow the electrical fitting to include single or multiple switches and sockets including 20 rocker switches, push buttons, illuminated switches, dimmers, sockets for electrical, communication or data connections. The modular construction allows selection of the preferred configuration for a user's needs from various configuration options. 25 SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed is an electrical fitting for affixing electrical componentry to a structure, the fitting comprising a grid 30 component having a front face and a rear face and including at least one aperture for retaining a module, the aperture being defined by an aperture wall, the grid component comprising a plurality of module retaining elements disposed on the aperture wall, at least a portion 35 of the module retaining elements being positioned rearward of another portion of the module retaining elements. 3607942_1 (GHMatters) PS4945.AU. I 1708112 -3 The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments and features will 5 become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 10 Preferred forms of the fitting are now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Fig 1 shows an exploded top perspective view of an 15 electrical fitting of one embodiment of the disclosure; Fig 2 shows a top plan view of a grid component of the electrical fitting of Fig 1; Fig 3 shows a section side view of an internal wall of a grid component of the electrical fitting of Fig 1; and 20 Fig 4 shows a bottom plan view of a grid component of the electrical fitting of Fig 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 25 In the following detailed description, reference is made to accompanying drawings which form a part of the detailed description. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, depicted in the drawings and defined in the claims, are not intended to be limiting. Other 30 embodiments may be utilised and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings can be arranged, 35 substituted, combined, separated and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated in this disclosure. 3607942_1 (GWHatners) PB4945.AU 117108/12 -4 This disclosure is directed generally to electrical fittings. The disclosure is described generally in the context of grid (or frame) components for affixing s electrical componentry to a surface of a structure. The grid component may be secured to a structures such as a wall by fasteners. The fasteners may comprise screws however nails, clips, hooks, bolts or alternative 10 fasteners may be utilised. Disclosed in some forms is an electrical fitting for affixing electrical componentry to a structure, the fitting comprising a grid component having a front and is rear face and defining at least one aperture for retaining a module and being defined by an aperture wall, the grid component comprising a plurality of module retaining elements disposed on the aperture wall, at least a portion of the module retaining elements being positioned rearward 20 of another portion of the module retaining elements. In some forms, the aperture extends between the front face and the rear face of the grid component. 25 In some forms the module retaining elements are located in at least two parallel rows, one row being disposed rearward of the other. In some forms the module retaining elements comprise 30 protrusions extending outwardly from the aperture wall. In some forms the module retaining elements comprise indentations extending into the aperture wall. 35 Disclosed in some forms is an electrical fitting assembly, for affixing electrical componentry to a structure, the assembly comprising: a grid component having a front and 3607942_1 (GHMatters) P84945AU. 1 17108/12 - 5 rear face and defining at least one aperture for retaining a module, the aperture extending and being defined by an aperture wall, the grid component comprising a plurality of module retaining elements disposed on the aperture 5 wall, at least a portion of the module retaining elements being positioned rearward of another portion of the module retaining elements; at least one module adapted to engage with the grid component, the module having a side wall having one or more engagement elements adapted to engage io one or more of the module retaining elements, wherein the engagement elements are positioned on the side wall so as to align with at least one of the module retaining elements. 15 Disclosed is an electrical fitting for fixing electrical componentry to a structure such as the wall of a building. The electrical fitting is in the form of a grid 10 which surrounds and defines one or more apertures 12. The apertures 12 are adapted to retain one or more modules 20 incorporating an electrical component such as a switch and/or socket in relation to a structure such as a wall. The grid 10 may be arranged to support a single module or multiple modules of a same standard or varying size such 25 as, for example, a single switch, a switch and socket, multiple switches, multiple switches and sockets. Switches may include among others rocker switches, illuminating switches, tactile switches, push-button switches. Sockets may include electrical, telephonic, data or communication 30 sockets. In use in the illustrated form multiple modules 31 are inserted into each aperture 12. The modules 31 are retained within the aperture 12. In the illustrated form, 35 the grid 10 is designed to be covered by a fascia plate 30. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that 3607942_1 (GHMatters) P84945.AU 1 17)08/12 - 6 various grid and module configurations fall within the scope of the disclosure. In use the grid 10 is fixed to the structure by fitting 5 the grid to a wall or other surface (not illustrated) to which electrical componentry is mounted. The grid 10 is fixed to the surface such that a rear face 15 of the grid 10 is adjacent the surface. The grid 10 is positioned over a cavity (not illustrated) in the surface through 10 which wiring (not illustrated) passes to the componentry usually from within a wall cavity. The grid 10 comprises fastening cavities 16 which extend through the grid 10. Fasteners (not illustrated) such as 15 screws, nails or clips pass through the fastening cavities 16 to affix the grid 10 to the surface. Commonly, the grid is fastened to the surface by screwing the fasteners into a switch box (not illustrated) mounted in the wall cavity behind wallboard providing a wall surface, in a 20 domestic or commercial application. Referring to Figs 1 through 5, disclosed is a rectangular frame-like grid 10 with a single large aperture 12 positioned centrally in the grid 10. An internal wall 17 25 defines aperture 12 and extends between a front face 13 and a rear face 15 of the grid component 10. A flange 18 is located on the internal wall 17 intermediate the front face 13 and the rear face 15. The internal wall 17 includes a first row of forward retaining elements 22 in 30 the form of cavities 23 extending into the internal wall 17. The internal wall 17 further includes a second row of rearward retaining elements 24 in the form of indentations 25 in the rearward edge of the internal wall 17. 35 While the illustrated form shows retaining elements in the form of cavities and indentations, it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that alternative retaining 3607942_ 1 (GHManers) P84945.AU 1 17108/12 -7 configurations are available, including but not limited to depressions or protrusions. The forward retaining elements 22 are aligned along the 5 lip of the flange 18 and spaced apart across the width of the internal wall 17. Similarly, the rearward retaining elements 24 are aligned along the rear edge of the internal wall 17 and are spaced apart across the width of the aperture 12. Thus in the illustrated form two parallel 10 rows of retaining elements 22 and 24 extend across the internal wall. One row of retaining elements is positioned rearwardly of the other row of retaining elements allowing for retention of modules 31 at two different positions within the aperture. 15 In the illustrated form modules 31 such as a socket module 44 incorporating a socket 32 and switch module 41 incorporating two switches 33 as shown in the illustrated form are retained within the grid component 10. Each of 20 the modules 41, 44 include a rearward facing module flange 35 at the front face of the module. In use, the module flange 35 is inhibited from rearward movement by the internal wall flange 17, retaining the modules in position in the grid component 10. 25 Each module 41, 44 includes outwardly extending retaining projections 38. The retaining projections 38 are aligned in at least one of two parallel rows. In use, a given module 41, 44 is selected and positioned within the grid 30 component 10 such that the retaining projections 38 on its outside wall engage with either or both the forward retaining elements 22 or the rearward retaining elements 24 on the internal wall 17 of the grid component 10. In one form the retaining projections 38 may engage only with 35 reward retaining elements 24. In another form, the retaining projections engage only with the forward retaining elements 22. The separate rows of retaining 3607942_1 (GHMatters) P84945.AU.1 17108/12 -8 elements 22, 24 on the internal wall 17 allow for modules with varying configurations to be retained within the grid component. While the illustrated form shows two rows of retaining elements positioned on the internal wall 17, it 5 will be clear that three or more rows of retaining elements would fall within the scope of the disclosure. Further, while the illustrated form shows retention elements on the longitudinal internal walls 17 of the aperture 12, retaining elements could equally be 10 positioned on the shorter lateral internal walls of the aperture 12 if required. In the illustrated form, the switch modules 41 include retaining projections 38 are positioned on a rearward edge 15 of the module flange 35. The depth of the flange 35 positions the retaining projections 38 in line with the forward row of retaining elements 22 and the retaining projections 38 are locatable into the cavities 23. In this position the module flange 35 seats on the grid 20 flange 18. The socket module 44 includes a front socket face 45 and a body 46 extending rearwardly from the face. The retaining projections 38 extend from the body at a position rearward 25 of the front socket face 45. In position in the grid component 10, the socket module retaining projections 38 are positioned rearwardly of the switch module 41 retaining projections 38. The socket module retaining projections 38 therefore engage the rearward retaining 30 elements 24 on the internal wall 17 and the retaining projections 38 engage with the indentations 25 in the rearward edge of the internal wall 17. While the module configuration shown comprises two 35 switches and a socket and switch, the modules may comprise a single socket or switch, multiple sockets or switches or a plate affixed with multiple modules. Further, while the 3607942_1 (GHMatters) P84945.AU 1 17108412 -9 switches shown are in the form of rocker switches, the switches could alternatively comprise push button, tactile switches, rotary switches or any alternative switch. Similarly the illustrated form shows a three-prong power 5 sockets but it will be clear that any alternative socket including communication and telephonic sockets would be available. In use, the plurality of rows of retaining elements 22 and 10 24 allow for varying sizes and shapes of module 31 to be retained within the grid component. The modules 31 can be positioned in a variety of relative positions, allowing, for example, the switch module 41 to be positioned on either side of the grid component and in a longitudinal or is lateral configuration. The grid component therefore allows selection from different modules with different retention requirements. Also if required the multiple rows of retaining elements allows for one or more modules to be connected to both rows if required to ensure adequate 20 fastening. The grid 10 further comprises a plurality of fastening cavities 16 spaced apart about the aperture 12. The fastening cavities 16 extend through the grid 10 and are 25 adapted to allow a fastener such as screws, nails or other fasteners to be inserted therethrough to affix the grid to a structure, ordinarily the surface of a wall. While the grid component 10 is illustrated with a single 30 rectangular aperture 12, multiple apertures and apertures of different shapes and sizes are envisaged within the disclosure. A fascia 30 which is adapted to be retained over the grid 35 so as to cover the grid 10. The fascia 30 is retained over the grid 10 through retaining means, clip fit or 3607942_1 (GHMatters) P84945.AU. 1 17/08112 - 10 interference fit and provides aesthetic simplicity to the electrical fitting. In the claims which follow and in the preceding 5 description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but io not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. The foregoing describes the electrical fitting including preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications as 15 will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof as defined in the accompanying claims. 20 3607942_1 (GHManters) P84945.AU.1 17/08/12