Patent Publication Number: US-6334602-B1

Title: Track system for adjustably mounting objects to a structure

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 09/195,160, entitled “Track System for Wall Hangings”, filed on Nov. 18, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to track systems for adjustably mounting wall hangings and other objects on structures such as interior walls or ceilings having uneven surfaces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Paintings, prints, pictures, and other wall hangings are typically mounted on residential and commercial wall surfaces by a hook or other securing device which penetrates the wall surface. To reposition the wall hanging at some other location on the wall surface, it is necessary to remove and reposition the securing device. The removal of hooks or nails from the wall causes damage to the wall surface and creates, unsightly holes which must be filled and refinished or hidden from view by another wall hanging. Also, if the wall structure is not strong enough to support heavier wall hangings, it is necessary to attach the securing de-vice to the upright studs within the wall. This restricts the horizontal placement of the wall hanging to the vicinity of a wall stud. 
     Track systems have been developed to allow a user to position a wall hanging in a variety of locations on a wall surface without the need for individual hooks or nails. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,014 to Wilson, describes a display system for artwork which uses a moulding bracket attached to the top of a wall and a plurality of vertical display units attached to and slidable along the moulding bracket. 
     However, this prior art display system does not facilitate convenient horizontal movement of the vertical display units. A user must first loosen the screws that couple the vertical bar with the horizontal bar before the vertical bar can be moved horizontally within the horizontal bar. This display system also fails to compensate for an uneven wall, since the horizontal track is mounted directly onto the wall. This could result in the horizontal track being crooked when mounted. Further, since wall hangings are to be mounted on the vertical display units using a mounting brace secured at the back of the picture, regular wall hangings having wire attachments cannot be accommodated by the display system. 
     There is accordingly a need for a track system which allows wall hangings to be suspended evenly on an irregular wall surface, and easily repositioned at various positions on a wall without damaging the wall surface. There is also a need for a track system which can be used in association with conventionally wire hung wall hangings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a track system for adjustably mounting objects on a structure having an uneven surface, comprising an elongated track dimensioned to extend along the surface, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced connectors extending between the track and the surface for rigidly coupling the track to the surface and aligning the track in a straight line offset from the surface, each of the connectors being individually adjustable in length so as to compensate for local irregularities in the surface. The connectors preferably comprise an adjustor of adjustable length couplable to the track, and a fastener for fastening the adjustor to the structure. The adjustor may comprise a threaded sleeve and a pivotal foot extending from one end thereof having a flat bottom surface for bearing against the surface. The track preferably comprises a back wall assembly and a front cover shaped to cover the back wall assembly. The back wall assembly preferably comprises a plurality of movable wall sections and a series of longitudinally spaced apertures sized to fit the adjustors, the wall sections being movable during installation so as to align one of the apertures with a wall stud or other solid supporting structure. The back wall assembly may comprise a tie bar having a magnet mounted thereon, and the cover may comprise a magnetic portion for contacting the magnet when the cover is fitted onto the back wall assembly. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the track system mounted on a wall and made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a section of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the track and a connector of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the track engaged to the wall using a connector according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the track and three connectors of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the carriage body of the carriage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the carriage body and the suspending device of the carriage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the track system according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the track system in use with a typical wall hanging according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a track assembly made in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a connector and a portion of a track beam made in accordance with the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a track system made in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines A—A in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along lines B—B in FIG. 12; and 
     FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the track system shown in FIGS.  12 - 14 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is a track system  10  made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Track system  10  comprises an elongated track  14 , track-to-wall connectors (not shown) and carriages  18 . Track system  10  is designed to mount a number of wall hangings  22  at various positions on a wall  12 . 
     Track  14  extends horizontally along wall  12 , and is rigidly attached to wall  12  by connectors at spaced intervals along the length of track  14 . Track  14  is preferably secured about six to fourteen inches below the ceiling on wall  12  to suspend wall hangings  22  at a wide variety of positions on wall  12 . Track  14  is preferably constructed from aluminum, although other suitable materials may be used. 
     Each carriage  18  is shaped to slidably engage track  14  and to slide along the length of track  14 . Carriage  18  includes a suspending device  20  having a hook  21  shaped to engage a wire or other attachment element attached to wall hanging  22 . 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end section of track  14  attached to wall  12  by two connectors  16   a  and  16   b . As shown connectors  16   a  and  16   b  rigidly attach track  14 , in a generally horizontal manner, to wall  12 . The lateral axis (L) is defined as being perpendicular to the conventionally understood horizontal (H) axis and the transverse (T) axis as indicated by the solid arrows L, H, and T. 
     Each connector  16   a  and  16   b  attaches a section of track  14  at a lateral distance from wall  12  corresponding to the length of the connector  16   a  and  16   b , namely L a  and L b , respectively. Wall surface  13  is uneven in the vicinity of connectors  16   a  and  16   b . In order to compensate for the unevenness of wall surface  13 , connector  16   a  is adjusted to have a relatively short length L a  and connector  16   b  is adjusted to have a relatively long length L b . More generally, by adjusting the length of each individual connector  16  along the length of track  14 , the entire extent of track  14  can be maintained in a straight horizontal line in spite of an irregular wall surface  13 . 
     Carriage  18  is shaped and dimensioned to be slidably engaged on track  14  so that carriage  18  can slide along the length of track  14 , past connectors  16  (such as  16   a  and  16   b ). Carriage  18  preferably comprises carriage body  32  shaped for slidably engaging track  14 , a finger grip  34  and end caps  36 . Carriage body  32  securably engages track  14  to prevent accidental disengagement while system  10  is in use. 
     Suspending device  20  is attached to the bottom of carriage  18  and comprises a hook position adjuster  23  coupled to the bottom of carriage body  32  having hook  21  depending therefrom shaped to receive a wire  25  extending upwardly from wall hanging  22 . 
     FIG. 3 shows one end of track  14  and connector  16  which is adapted to engage the end section of track  14 . Track  14  preferably comprises track beam  24 , and track cover  26  having end caps  30 . 
     Track beam  24  comprises top flange  41 , bottom flange  43  and back wall or web  46  which contains a plurality of apertures  40  which are sized to receive threaded sleeves  48 . Track beam  24  is preferably composed of extruded aluminum, although it could be formed from an elongated aluminum or steel sheet which can be bent into the desired shape. Track cover  26  includes cover slots  64  for receiving flanges  41 ,  43  of track beam  24 . Track end cap  30  is also provided with an extension  56  having an aperture  57  sized to receive screw  28  when track cover  26  is engaged with track beam  24 . Track end cap  30  is shaped to snap into the end of track cover  26 . Track cover  26  is further secured to track beam  24  by screws  28 . 
     Connector  16  preferably comprises threaded sleeve  48 , center point guide  52 , a wood screw  54 , nuts  50  and  51 , and a washer  58 . Threaded sleeve  48  is sized to fit within aperture  40  of web  46  of track beam  24 , with nut  50  positioned on one side of web  46  and nut  51  and washer  58  positioned on the other side of web  46 . Wood screw  54  is dimensioned to fit within threaded sleeve  48  so that the threaded end extends past threaded sleeve  48  and through center point guide  52  for engagement with wall  12 . 
     Center point guide  52  comprises a footing  60  and a sleeve  62 . Footing  60  is positioned between threaded sleeve  48  and wall surface  13  and is used to distribute pressure borne by track system  10  along its surface to minimize damage to wall surface  13 . Sleeve  62  is used to reduce the diameter of the bore within the threaded sleeve  48  to centre wood screw  54  within threaded sleeve  48  for ease of installation. 
     Connector  16  is attached to the wall by first inserting center point guide  52  into one end of threaded sleeve  48  and inserting wood screw  54  into the other end, such that the threaded end of wood screw  54  extends past threaded sleeve  48  for engaging wall  12 . The resulting assembly is then fastened to wall  12  by wood screw  54  such that center point guide  52  is secured flush against wall surface  13 . Nuts  50  are then engaged onto threaded sleeves  48  and aligned to support a straight edge or string line. Track beam  24  is positioned on threaded sleeves  48 , and nuts  51  are engaged onto threaded sleeves  48 , so that track beam  24  is gripped in between nut pairs  50  and  51  on threaded sleeves  48 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of track  14  when it is coupled by connector  16  to wall  12 . Wood screw  54  is positioned within threaded sleeve  48  and center point guide  52 . The head of wood screw  54  is securely engaged with the free end of threaded sleeve  48  and the threaded end of wood screw  54  is engaged with wall  12  through center point guide  52 . In this way threaded sleeve  48  is securely attached to wall  12 . 
     Nuts  50  and  51  and washer  58  are engaged on the outer surface of threaded sleeve  48 . Web  46  of track  14  is gripped between nuts  50  and  51  of connector  16 . As a result, web  46  is laterally offset from wall surface  13  by distance L D  and track  14  is securely attached by connector  16  to wall  12 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates how three connectors  16   a ,  16   b  and  16   c  are used to couple a web  46  of one end of track  14  to wall  12  to maintain track  14  in a straight horizontal line. Wall  12  is shown having an uneven wall surface  13  with lateral irregularities. 
     Each connector  16   a ,  16   b , and  16   c  can be used to offset track  14  from wall surface  13  laterally by adjusting the nuts  50   a  and  51   a ,  50   b  and  51   b , and  50   c  and  51   c  on threaded sleeves  48   a ,  48   b , and  48   c , respectively. Accordingly, the unevenness of wall surface  13  can be compensated for by adjusting nuts  50   a  and  51   a  of connector  16   a  so that track  14  is laterally offset from wall surface  13  by L a , adjusting nuts  50   b  and  51   b  of connector  16   b  so that track  14  is laterally offset from wall surface  13  by L b , and adjusting nuts  50   c  and  51   c  of connector  16   c  so that track  14  is laterally offset from wall surface  13  by L c  . 
     FIG. 6 shows carriage body  32  having apertures  69  which are suited to receive screws  38  for securing end caps  36   a  and  36   b  to carriage body  32 . Carriage body  32  further contains apertures  72  to receive end cap pins  70  when end caps  36   a  and  36   b  are attached to carriage body  32 . Finger grip  34  is preferably formed in the front surface of extruded aluminum carriage body  32 , although it could be made of flexible rubber for ease of manipulation. 
     Carriage end caps  36   a ,  36   b  have biasing arms  68   a ,  68   b  which deflect when mounting carriage  18  onto track  14 . Once mounted, end caps  36   a ,  36   b , clamp carriage body  32  onto track  14  by applying a central force to evenly force clamping legs  66  forward against track  14 . In order to move carriage  18  along track  14 , it is necessary to exert lateral pressure towards wall  12  on finger grip  34  to release clamping legs  66  from track  14 . Carriage  18  may then be slid to the desired location and finger grip  34  released to allow biasing arms  68   a ,  68   b  to again clamp track  14 . End caps  36   a  and  36   b  minimize direct contact between head  18  and track  14 . This helps to eliminate marking and friction wear to these surfaces. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, suspending device  20  of carriage  18  preferably comprises hook  21  and hook position adjuster  23 . Hook  21  is shaped to engage a wire or other attachment element attached to wall hanging  22 . Hook  21  is preferably manufactured out of a durable material such as a metal alloy which is adapted to withstand the weight of a conventional wall hanging  22  and which will not suffer critically from fatigue. 
     Hook position adjuster  23  comprises a guide block  74 , rigidly coupled to the underside of carriage body  32 , hook bracket  47  which extends upwardly from hook  21 , casing  76  sized to accommodate guide block  74  and hook bracket  47 , and adjusting screw  44 . 
     Guide block  74  is a generally rectangular solid block having a lateral guide slot  75  in its top surface. On either side of guide slot  75  are threaded apertures  77  for receiving screws  78  which rigidly couple guide block  74  to the underside of carriage body  32 . Guide slot  75  is dimensioned to slidably receive hook bracket  47 . Guide block  74  also contains a threaded lateral aperture  79  that runs through the centre of its body and which is dimensioned to engagably receive adjusting screw  44 . 
     Hook bracket  47  extends upwardly from hook  21 , and comprises a laterally extending top portion  43 , a front plate  42  depending downwardly from and perpendicular to top portion  43 , and a back plate  45  which is spaced from and parallel to front plate  42 . Front plate  42  has an aperture  55  dimensioned to slidably receive adjusting screw  44 . Back plate  45  has an aperture  53  which is smaller than aperture  55 . The bottom surface of back plate  45  and the top surface of hook  21  contain indentations such that when plate  45  and hook  21  are joined together notches  94  are formed. Bottom surface of front plate  42  also contains notches  95  which are vertically aligned with notches  94 . 
     Adjusting screw  44  has a large head  82  for ease of manipulation by the user, a uniform threaded central section  88  which fits through aperture  80  in casing  76  and which mates with threaded aperture  79  of guide block  74 , and an end section  90  of reduced diameter. Aperture  53  of back plate  45  is dimensioned to receive end section  90  of adjusting screw  44  such that when adjusting screw  44  is positioned within hook bracket  47 , end section  90  of adjusting screw  44  extends through back plate  45 . End section  90  of screw  44  is also provided with a circular groove  93  for receiving retaining ring  92 . Once end portion extends through back section  45  of hook  21 , retaining ring  92  is snapped into grove  93  so as to retain end section  90  in back plate  45  as hook  21  is laterally adjusted towards and away from wall surface  13 . 
     Casing  76  is dimensioned to cover guide block  74  and hook bracket  47  and further comprises alignment ledges  96  on its bottom side. Ledges  96  are spaced apart from each other and dimensioned to accommodate notches  94  and  95  such that hook  21  and hook bracket  47  can be laterally moved within casing  76 . 
     When lateral top portion  43  of hook bracket  47  is engaged within guide slot  75  of guide block  74  and covered by casing  76 , hook  21  extends below casing  76  to engage wall hanging  22 . Once carriage  18  is positioned at the desired position on track  14 , adjusting screw  44  can be used to move hook  21  towards or away from wall surface  13  as desired. 
     FIG. 8 shows a side sectional view of track system  10  including track  14 , connector  16 , carriage  18  and suspending device  20 . Since each part has already been described in detail above, the interrelationship of all the parts of track system  10  will be summarily discussed. 
     Wood screw  54  of connector  16  is shown engaged with wall  12  such that threaded sleeve  48  is positioned normal to wall  12  against center point guide  52 . Secured threaded sleeve  48  is shown positioned within an aperture of track beam  24  such that web  46  of track  14  is gripped between nut  50  and washer  58  and nut  51 , whereby track beam  24  is rigidly attached to wall  12 . Track cover  26  is shown attached to track beam  24  using screws  28 . Carriage  18  is shown engaged with track  14  having finger grip  34 . Suspending device  20  is attached to carriage  18  using screws  78  that rigidly couple guide block  74  to the underside of carriage  18 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a side view of track system  10  installed on wall  12  in use with wall hanging  22 . Suspending device  20  is shown adjusted so as to position hook  21  flush against wall surface  13 . By positioning back plate  45  in such a manner, wall hanging  22  can be hung on wall surface  13  as it would from a conventional hook or nail mounted on wall  12 , even if the track is laterally offset from the wall surface because of a local surface irregularity. 
     In use, track beam  24  is preferably mounted on wall  12  at least six inches below the ceiling line such that approximately four inches are left between each end of track  14  and another wall or obstruction. A minimum of six inches of space is required to conveniently assemble track cover  26  onto track beam  24  with screws  28  using a conventional screw driver. Positioning track system  10  approximately 6-14 inches from the ceiling line provides a sleek architectural look similar to a conventional molding, and also eliminates any visual guide that might be made between a straight track  14  and an uneven ceiling surface. To accomplish mounting of track  14 , track beam  24  is first positioned on wall  12  in order to determine placement of wood screws  54  and initial marking holes are made on wall surface  13  while track beam  24  is held in place manually. 
     Track beam  24  is then removed from wall surface  13  and threaded sleeves  48  are coupled to center point guides  52  both fastened to wall  12 , such that center point guides  52  are placed flush against wall surface  13  at the marked positions, using wood screws  54 . Nuts  50  are then placed on threaded sleeves  48  and track beam  24  is positioned on threaded sleeves  48  against nuts  50 . Finally, nuts  51  and washer  58  are installed on threaded sleeves  48 , so that track beam  24  is gripped in between nut pairs  50  and  51  on threaded sleeve  48 . 
     Track cover  26  is then attached over track beam  24  and screws  28  are used to secure track cover  26  over track beam  24 . Suspending device  20  is attached to the bottom of carriage body  32  using screws  78 . Carriage  18  is then installed onto track  14  so that it may slide along the length of track  14 . Once carriage  18  is positioned at the desired location on track  14 , adjusting screw  44  is adjusted to position hook  21  laterally relative to wall surface  13 . 
     Should the user desire to repaint or otherwise decorate wall surface  13 , track  14  can be removed and reinstalled without having to readjust connectors  16 . Removal is accomplished by removing screws  28 , end caps  30  and front cover  26 , and then removing wood screws  54  together with track beam  24 , with threaded sleeves  48 , nuts  50 ,  51  and washer  58  being still firmly attached and correctly adjusted to back web  46 . The wall surface can then be painted. Track  14  is reinstalled by holding beam  24  in place and reinstalling wood screws  54 , then front cover  26  and end caps  30  with screws  28 . 
     The subject invention accordingly provides a track system which allows wall hangings to be suspended and easily repositioned along the length of track  14  at various positions on wall  12  without damaging the wall surface with each repositioning. Track system  10  is further adapted to suspend wall hangings evenly on an irregular wall surface through the adjustment of connectors  16 . Track system  10  also allows heavier wall hangings, such as flat screen television monitors and stereo equipment, to be suspended from track  14  regardless of the location of wall stud beams in the wall. Since suspending device  20  consists in part of a hook  21 , track system  10  can be used in association with conventional wire hung wall hangings. Track  14  can also be easily removed and reinstalled for redecorating purposes without having to readjust connectors  16 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a track system made in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention comprises a track assembly  114  and a plurality of connectors  116 . Track assembly  114  comprises a track beam  124  and a front cover  126 . Track beam  124  has a thick back wall  146  containing a series of spaced threaded apertures  140 . Connector  116  comprises a one piece adjuster  125  and a fastener  154 . Adjuster  125  comprises threaded sleeve  148 , integral foot  152  extending laterally from the foot end of sleeve  148 , and a screwdriver slot  156  formed in head end  153 . Threaded sleeve  148  of adjuster  125  is sized to mate with threaded apertures  140 . The threads of threaded sleeve  148  preferably stop about ⅛ inch from center point guide  152 , to ensure a minimum ¼ inch distance between track beam  124  and wall surface  113 . Threaded apertures  140  in thick back wall  146  eliminate the need for nuts  50 ,  51  and washer  52  of the previous embodiment. Screwdriver slot  156  allows the user to adjust the length of adjuster  125  extending between wall surface  113  and track beam  124 , without having to use a socket wrench. 
     The process for installing track assembly  114  on a wall or other structure is similar to that for the previous embodiment. Once a horizontal height line is established and the wall stud center lines are located and marked, track beam  124  is positioned against wall surface  113 . The stud center lines are then centered in threaded apertures  140 , and those apertures  140  having a stud location are marked. Track beam  124  is removed from the wall, and adjusters  125  are threaded into the backside of each marked aperture until they stop. Track beam  124  is returned to the wall position. Adjusters  125  closest to the ends of beam  124  are adjusted in length using a flat head screwdriver, to align the track beam  124  in a straight line, and fasteners  154  are inserted into adjusters  125  to fasten the track beam  124  to wall. The lengths of the other adjusters  125  are then adjusted, until foot  152  of each adjuster  125  contacts surface  113 , and fasteners  154  are installed. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, in another preferred embodiment, the track system of the subject invention comprises a track assembly  214  and a plurality of connectors  216 . Connectors  216  comprise swivel foot adjusters  225  and fasteners  227 . Swivel foot adjuster  225  comprises a threaded sleeve  248  having an adjustment slot  256  like slot  156  of the previous embodiment. However, swivel foot adjuster  225  differs from adjuster  125  of the previous embodiment, in that adjuster  225  comprises a foot  252  pivotally coupled to threaded sleeve  248 . Foot  252  has a frusto-conical side surface  282 , a flat bottom surface  254  and a central bore  257  having a front lip  258  sized to fit over threadless section  259  of threaded sleeve  248  adjacent the foot end thereof. Foot  252  is coupled to adjuster  225  by sliding foot  252  onto threadless section  259  and fitting o-ring  255  into groove  253 . When adjuster  225  is positioned on a structure having a local surface irregularity, each pivoting foot  252  pivots as necessary, providing full perimeter contact between surface  213 , for maximum track support and a visually pleasing appearance. Feet  252  preferably pivot over an angle of about 7 degrees. 
     Track assembly  214  comprises a front cover  226 , back wall assembly  224 , and end caps  230 . Back wall assembly  224  comprises a plurality of sliding wall sections  246 , header  241  and footer  243  shaped to slidingly receive wall sections  246 , and tie-bars  247 . Header  241  and footer  243  extend the entire length of track assembly  214 ; in FIG. 15, header  241  is shown pulled back beyond right-hand sliding wall section  246 , for clarity of illustration. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, dovetail projections  250  extend longitudinally along the top and bottom of sliding wall section  246 . Dovetail projections  250  are sized to slidingly fit within dovetail channels  251  in header  241  and footer  243 . Each sliding wall section  246  is provided with spaced threaded adjuster apertures  240  sized to receive threaded sleeve  248  of a swivel-foot adjuster  225 . A smaller threaded tie bar aperture  249  is located between pairs of adjuster apertures  240 . Sliding wall sections  246  are preferably about 10 inches in length, and adjuster apertures  240  are preferably ½ inch in diameter and spaced about 2 inches apart. 
     Tie-bar  247  and securing screws  266  are used to secure each sliding wall section  246  to footer  243  and header  241 . Tie-bar  247  contains a pair of apertures  261  spaced to register with threaded tie bar apertures  249 . Tie-bar  247  also comprises top and bottom flanges  260  shaped to bear against bevelled side surfaces  262  of header  241  and footer  243 . Securing screws  266  are used to fasten tie-bar  247  onto sliding wall section  246 , thereby tying back wall assembly  224  together. Tie-bar  247  is also provided with a centrally located recess  263  sized to receive magnet  265 . 
     Front cover  226  comprises a front wall  270 , a top flange  271  and a bottom flange  272 . Top flange  271  and bottom flange  272  have rear lips  273  shaped to engage surfaces  279  of header  241  and footer  243 , when cover  226  is fitted onto back wall assembly  224 . Front cover  226  includes a magnetic contact plate  274  which is shaped to be slidingly received in channels  275  in top and bottom flanges  271 ,  272 , and a set screw  277  sized to be threaded into aperture  278 , which locks contact plate  274  in channel  275 . Contact plate  274  is made of steel or other magnetic metal. Contact plate  274  should be positioned so as to bear against magnet  265  of tie-bar  247 , when cover  226  is fitted onto back wall assembly  224 . 
     End caps  230  are snaped into the ends of cover  226  and secured to back wall assembly  224  by inserting screws  280  into channels  281  in header  241  and footer  243 . 
     Track assembly  214  may be used to mount different objects on various structures such as walls or ceilings. Using a wall as an example, track assembly  214  may be installed as follows: 
     1. With a pencil and level, lightly mark the tracks horizontal center line length on wall surface  213 . 
     2. Locate and mark along the horizontal line all hidden vertical wall beam center lines. 
     3. Where the length is expected to exist, measure from end to end along the horizontal line and record the distance of each intersecting line. 
     4. Remove front cover  226  and set aside. Place back wall assembly  224  on the floor with the back wall section  246  down. 
     5. Remove all securing screws  266  and tie-bars  247 . 
     6. Place a sliding back wall section  246  at each track end and evenly space the others. 
     7. In the same direction as measured in step  3 , align the first recorded measurement with the center of the nearest ½ inch threaded back wall aperture  240 . 
     8. Without covering the measured aperture  240 , fasten back wall section  246  in place with a tie-bar  247  and securing screws  266 . 
     9. Repeat steps  7  and  8  for the next and each additional recorded measurement. Note: Some back walls sections  246  may fall between measurements. Center any unused back wall sections  246  and fasten in place with tie-bars  247  and securing screws  266 . 
     10. Thread an adjuster  225  all the way into the back side of each measured adjuster aperture  240 . 
     11. On the wall, drill pilot holes for wood screws  227  at intersecting lines (measured holes/wall beam center lines). 
     12. Use the front cover  226  as a straight edge, just above or below the horizontal line to check the wall surface for high spots. Lightly mark the 2 pilot holes that represent the two highest surface locations. 
     13. Hold back wall assembly  224  in position and insert a screw  227  into both adjusters  225  with marked pilot holes and fasten in place. 
     14. With a slot screw driver adjust each adjuster  225  in length until the leading perimeter of foot  252  is in full contact with wall surface  213 . 
     15. Into each adjuster  225  insert a screw  227  to fasten in place. Note: If the track beam needs to be fine-tuned horizontally slightly loosen all tie-bar screws  266 , and adjust track and retighten screws  266 . 
     16. Insert magnets  265  into tie-bar center recesses  263 . 
     17. From either end of back wall assembly  224 , measure and record the center point of each magnet  265 . 
     18. Align the front cover  226 , contact plates  274  and tighten each set screw  277  to correspond with a magnet  265  center point as measured and recorded in step  17 . 
     19. Position the front cover  226  between the track beam end caps  230  with the rear lips  273  ready to engage header  241  and footer  243 . 
     20. Move front cover  226  towards the wall for magnetic contact. 
     Note: To remove front cover  226 , first remove screws  280  and end caps  230 , and then move front cover  226  horizontally, right or left, to disengage contact plates  274  from the attractive force of magnets  265 . 
     Sliding wall sections  246  of track assembly  214  provide for precise alignment of threaded adjuster apertures  240  with the vertical center lines of stud beams in the wall, thereby making track assembly  214  particularly well adapted for use on walls having irregular spacing of studs. 
     While the track system of the subject invention is suitable for positioning decorative wall hangings and heavier objects like television monitors and audio speakers on the interior walls of residential or commercial buildings, such system could also be used for mounting various objects on other structures, e.g. mounting track lighting on a ceiling. 
     As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the apparatus described above are possible without departure from the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.