The present invention relates to a receiving system for exchangeably mounting a picture onto a support, substantial- Iy concerning pictures in the form of advertisements and announcements. Such a support can be a dynamic support, such as e.g. a system having rotatable prismatic lamellae, or a static support, e.g. a billboard onto which the pictures are adhered. With the billboards having rotatable prismatic lamellae, generally a system in which the lamellae have removable sides is provided, which allows for exchanging pictures without having to remove the previous picture from the sides and to adhere a new one. However, the complete procedure of exchanging a picture involves much more than exchanging the sides of the lamellae. First, all sides of the lamellae belonging to the pictures concerned, must be removed en transported to a workshop. With a conventional dimension of e.g. 14 x 4.25 m, this requires two persons and a truck for transporting the sides of the lamellae. The old picture must be removed from the individual sides, whereupon a new picture must be applied onto the sides in the workshop in the same arrangement as in their position in the billboard. After applying the picture, it has to be cut between the sides. In practice, one uses an additional set of sides so that the changing time per se will not be affected by the time required for removing the old picture from the separate sides. Despite that, the labour time required for the entire procedure of exchanging a picture remains the same . For a picture of the dimensions given as an example, the labour time is about 2 days.

The object of the invention is to provide a system by which both the time for changing a picture and the time required for the complete procedure can be reduced consid- erably.

Accordingly, it is provided for that the support comprises two or more receiving flanges spaced apart, intended for receiving a strip bearing an entire picture or a portion of a picture between two successive receiving flanges, said receiving flanges being designed in such a way, that a strip can be slid between said receiving flanges from a set of ends of two successive receiving flanges.

Such a receiving system having receiving flanges into which a strip bearing a portion of a picture offers consid- erable gain of time as well as a reduction in required manpower. The picture can be printed in strips at the printer's or a printed picture can be cut into strips by the printer. Changing an advertisement picture in a billboard having rotatable prismatic lamellae, the billboard being of the previously stated size, now requires only one man that can remove the strips of a picture to be changed and slide the strips of the new picture into the receiving flanges in about half an hour.

With a support having rotatable, three-sided prismatic lamellae, according to a first embodiment the receiving flanges are mounted at the corners between successive planes of a lamella. According to a further elaboration it is further provided for that a receiving flange, when seen in cross-section, comprises a turned or bent outer part having its legs extending in parallel to two successive planes of the lamella and a connecting part being at an equal angle in relation to said both legs, said connecting part being intended for making a connection with the lamella.

According to a yet further elaboration it is provided for that the connecting part has a profiled end edge intended to be received into a complementary shaped longitudinal groove in the lamella. According to a specific embodiment the end edge with said connecting part of the receiving flange approximates the shape of a T-profile. In this way it is provided for that such a rotatable prismatic lamella requires only 3 receiving flanges . The

profile of end edge and connecting part together with the complementary longitudinal groove in the edge of a lamella allow for that some movement of the receiving flange in relation to the lamella remains possible, while said move- ment in lateral direction is limited in such a way, that a strip remains entrapped between the receiving flanges. Lateral movement of the receiving flange is important because this allows for having receiving flanges of successive lamellae connect to one another with a slight spacing, which promotes the quality of the picture. Thus, possible abutting of the receiving flanges due to dimensional tolerances in lamella or receiving flange won't be any problem because of the freedom of movement of the receiving flange.

Just as important as, or even more important than the possible lateral movement is a possible movement in longitudinal direction within the longitudinal groove of the lamella. This is of great importance since due to differences in coefficient of expansion of the material of the lamella and the material of the receiving flange, the receiving flange may deform. Consequently, receiving flanges of successive lamellae may deform to such an extent, that the receiving flanges of successive lamellae may abut one another to much, causing the lamellae to rotate with difficulty or even jam, or the strips can get stuck in the receiving flanges, cau- sing changing pictures to be difficult or impossible. In this latter case, it will mostly be possible to remove a strip, but sliding in a new strip upwards across a length of several metres will not be possible. Further, distortion of the receiving flange may also deform the strip, giving the complete picture a distorted view.

Therefore, it is important that the end edge of the centre portion is received in the longitudinal groove of the lamella in such a way, that the strips can by no means get out of the entrapment by the receiving flanges, that some lateral movement will be possible so as to prevent mutual jamming of abutting receiving flanges and that the receiving

frame is free to move in longitudinal direction within the longitudinal groove. All this is achieved with the shape of centre portion and end edge of said receiving flange and the complementary shape of longitudinal groove in the lamella according to the invention.

According to a further elaboration it is provided for that the longitudinal grooves end at some distance from the bottom of the lamella or that means are provided for keeping the ends of the receiving flanges at some distance from the bottom of the lamella. This leaves enough space at the bottom for sliding a strip between successive receiving flanges .

Further, preferably means are provided for locking a receiving flange on one location in the longitudinal groove. This can take place e.g. at or near the bottom of the receiving flange. This prevents a receiving flange from sliding along when a strip is inserted. In case of securing at the bottom the receiving flange has the freedom to expand within the longitudinal groove . The lamella according to the invention has its bottom provided with a projecting edge, intended for supporting a strip bearing a picture or a portion of a picture, said projecting edge being provided with a further edge part or lip projecting upward. According to a second embodiment, a receiving system for a fixed support is provided, said receiving flanges being mounted on a base to be secured to the support . Such a base is necessary to allow for sufficient freedom to the receiving flanges for longitudinal expansion or shrinking depending on the temperature.

The receiving system according to the invention will mostly be mounted on existing fixed billboards to which the pictures will be adhered. In order to effect such a modification in an easy way, according to the invention it is provided for that the base is a framework to be mounted on the support. Since such boards are large, e.g. the dimensi-

ons of a popular outdoor billboard are about 7 x 3.5 m, it is preferably provided for that the framework is of modular design. This allows for working with handy elements that can be prefabricated and quickly be mounted adjacent one another onto an existing billboard. Of course, in case of a newly to be manufactured static billboard, this can be prefabricated in its entirety.

The receiving flanges employed in this embodiment, when seen in cross-section, have legs projecting to one or both sides, with a connecting part being square to the leg or legs, which is intended for forming the connection with a vertical profile. Further, it is provided for that the connecting part has a profiled end edge intended for being received in a complementary shaped longitudinal groove in a vertical profile.

The end edge and the connecting part of the receiving flange together form approximately a T-profile and the longitudinal groove being complementary to that is in the shape of a T-profile. In case of legs projecting to two sides, the entire receiving flange, seen in cross-section, gets the shape of an H-profile.

These features allow for that the receiving flanges can expand freely in the vertical profiles.

Further, this embodiment also provides for that the longitudinal grooves end at a distance from a vertical profile or that means are provided for keeping the ends of the receiving flanges at a distance from the bottom of a vertical profile. This provides sufficient space at the bottom for sliding the strips in between successive recei- ving flanges.

In this embodiment too, means for locking a receiving flange on one location in the longitudinal groove can be provided.

Additionally, a partial or complete frame for the framework for entrapping the strips at the bottom is provided, the bottom of said frame being intended for supporting

the strips and at least the bottom being provided with an upright edge portion.

Further, it is important that the material from which the receiving flanges are manufactured is transparent and will remain transparent in time. Preferably, said receiving flanges are manufactured of an impact-resistant acrylate . This could also be a composition of acrylate having approximately 10% polycarbonate.

The invention is further explained by means of examples illustrated in the drawing, in which:

fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the top of a prismatically rotatable lamella, being provided with receiving flanges on the longitudinal edges; f ig . 2 illustrates a cross-section of the lamella; ffiigg.. 3 3 illustrates a detail of the cross-section according to fig. 2 having a receiving profile; f ig . 4 illustrates schematically sliding a strip into the receiving flanges; f ig . 5 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodi- ment of the receiving system, in which the receiving system is mounted on a fixed billboard; fig. 6 illustrates a partial cross-section of fig. 5 ; fig. 7 illustrates a detail of fig. 5 in a perspective view; and fig. 8 illustrates schematically sliding a strip into the receiving flanges .

Fig. 1 illustrates a plan view of an uppermost part of a prismatic lamella 1, being part of a series of prismatic lamellae rotatably mounted side-by-side, with said lamellae together being able to show three advertising pictures in successive positions. Lamella 1 comprises substantially a three-sidedly extruded aluminium profile. Receiving flanges 2, 3, 4 are mounted along the longitudinal edges, in which a

strip 16 carrying a part of a picture to be depicted can be slid between two successive receiving flanges.

The cross-section according to fig. 2 and the enlargement of a detail thereof according to fig. 3 clearly shows that longitudinal grooves 5, 6, 7 extending in longitudinal direction of the lamella are provided for receiving said receiving flanges 2, 3, 4. A receiving flange 2, 3, 4 comprises a bent outer part 8 having its legs 9, 10 extend parallel to the sides 11, 12 of lamella 1. Outer part 8 is connected to a connecting part 13 extending into longitudinal groove 5, said connecting part 13 having its outer end provided with an end edge 14 extending transversely to it . Portions of connecting part 13 and end edge 14 are entrapped in the longitudinal groove 5 having the shape of a T-profile when seen in cross-section. This entrapment should be such that the freedom of movement of said outer part 8 is limited sufficiently, but that at the same time it is possible to have the receiving flange 2 expand sufficiently without the risk that it may deform by getting stuck within the longitu- dinal groove 5. By providing a longitudinally extending rib 15 which will abut end edge 14, the entrapment will be improved while the friction to be overcome in case of expansion will remain limited.

Fig. 4 illustrates sliding a strip 16 in between suc- cessive receiving flanges 2, 4, of one of the lamellae 1 of a billboard. For enabling this, the receiving flanges 2, 4 do not extend down to the bottom of a lamella 1. This is achieved by e.g. inserting pins not illustrated in the drawing into longitudinal grooves 5, 6, 7 with clamping fit at the bottom. To prevent the receiving flanges 2, 3, 4 from sliding along upwards on insertion of a strip 16, these are locked in the groove near the bottom. This can take place by simply providing a narrowing in the groove 5, 6, 7 mechanically. At the bottom side of a lamella 1, a ledge 17 is provided onto which the strip 16 will bear. The ledge 17 has

an upright lip 18 by which the strip is kept on the ledge 17.

Fig. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the receiving system 19, in which said receiving system 19 is mounted on an existing static billboard 20. Receiving system 19 comprises a number of horizontal transverse profiles 21, 22 directly fastened to an old billboard 20, and a number of vertical profiles 23 which are spaced apart on the horizontal profiles 21, 22 at mutually equal distances. The mutual distance between the vertical profiles 23 is related directly to the width of the strips 26 of the advertisement picture. Preferably, the horizontal and vertical profiles 21, 22, 23 are mounted to the existing billboard in prefabricated units connecting to one another, allowing for quickly assem- bling such a structure. The complete receiving system is provided with a framework 24.

Fig. 6 illustrates a cross-section having a horizontal profile 21 and two vertical profiles 23. A supporting profile 25 for supporting a strip 26 is mounted between the vertical profiles 23. Generally, one single supporting profile 25 between successive vertical profiles 23 will suffice, but if required, more supporting profiles 25 can be mounted. In order to allow for easy fastening of the vertical profiles 23 and the supporting profiles 25 onto the horizontal profiles, these are provided with a longitudinal profile 27 allowing fastening means, such as screws 28, to be screwed into directly. Such a longitudinal profile 27 is preferably provided across all sides so that e.g. the framework can be fastened to a horizontal profile as well . The vertical profiles 23 are substantially U-shaped profiles 29 with longitudinal edges 30, 31 that can be engaged by said fastening means 28, and flanged edge portions 32, 33 on the back side of the profile. See also fig. 7. These flanged edge portions 32, 33 together form a longitu- dinal slot for accomodating a receiving profile 34 having an H-shape cross-section. The inner sides of the flanged edge

portions 32, 33 have ribs for entrapping the receiving profiles 34, but in which the friction remains limited to such an extent that the receiving profile 34 can easily expand and shrink in case of changes in temperature. A strip 26 is entrapped between the front legs 35, 36 of a receiving profile 34 and the top sides of the flanged edge portions 32, 33.

Fig. 8 illustrates sliding in a strip 26, which requires some space at the bottom of the receiving flanges 34. To this end, pins or other filling means can be applied in the vertical profiles so that the receiving flanges can not sink to the bottom of vertical profiles 23. The receiving flanges 34 can be locked within the vertical profiles 23 by clamping or applying a narrowing in the vertical profiles 23. How- ever, this is not absolutely required in case of a sufficient entrapment bij a framework 24. An upright edge portion 37 at at least the bottom of the framework allows for that a strip can not easily get out of the receiving flanges.

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