Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically scanning a board having at least one wane, comprising illuminating the board from at least one side in a direction substantially parallel to a sawn planar face of the board, receiving light reflected by the wane by an objective, and forming, by means of the objective images of at least the terminal parts of selected illuminated transverse zones of the board substantially in the image plane of the objective, placing a plurality of photosensitive elements generating electrical signals in proportion to the light received substantially at the image plane of the objective, forming the photosensitive elements as one rectilinear array of photosensitive signal generators oriented in the direction of the image of the illuminated transverse zone, and moving at least one of the objective and the array of generators relative to the board such that the point of intersection of the imaging axis of the objective and the board scans the board in the longitudinal direction thereof whereby

Abstract: A hollow housing having a spherically curved surface adjustably mounted on a hollow socket, particularly for a device with an adjustable functional axis such as a photo-cell or the like. On the bottom wall of the housing is a first guide region in the form of a first continuous or interrupted spherical-segment-surface, and on the socket is a second guide region cooperatively mating with the first guide region and having the form of a second continuous or interrupted spherical-segment-surface. In the center of one of the guide regions there is mounted a bolt and the other guide region has in its central zone an opening greater than the diameter of the bolt to provide sufficient radial play for the adjustment. A washer is mounted on the bolt such that when the bolt is tightened, the washer is pressed against a contact surface bordering the large opening.