EP2339093A1

EP2339093A1 - Guide for making pillars or columns, and method for making columns and pillars of bricks, stones or other building blocks

Info

Publication number: EP2339093A1
Application number: EP10179185A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paolo Oliviero
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-30
Filing date: 2010-09-24
Publication date: 2011-06-29
Also published as: ITMI20091891A1; IT1398158B1; ITMI20100062A1

Abstract

The template (1) for constructing pillars or columns (1) according to the invention comprises A) a fixed frame, in turn comprising a guideway (5), and B) a slider (7) sliding along the guideway and defining a first hollow seat (9) that substantially reproduces the full-scale, negative outer shape of the cross-section of the column or pillar to be made. During construction, the bricks are arranged by placing them against the edges of the hollow seat (9), while the slider (7) is gradually moves upwards as the various layers of bricks are laid. The template (1) also comprises a counterweight (100) connected to the at least one slider, so as to facilitate the user in manually raising and lowering the at least one slider and make these operations less laborious.

Description

Field of invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a process for constructing columns or pillars in brick, stone or other buildi ng blocks, in particular columns or pillars in facing brickwork or stonework.

State of the art

Currently, brick pillars of the type shown in Figure 1 are constructed by bricklayers controlling the placing and alignment of the bricks with just the aid of a spirit level, plumb line, rules and, if necessary (especially in the case of circular-section columns), a series of vertical lines (indicatively from three to six) fixed with nails to the floor and ceiling, if present, or to another overhanging structure, substantially creating a "template of plumb lines". A lot of time and highly skilled labour are necessary to construct columns and pillars using these techniques. To construct a square-section brick pillar of 50 cm each side and 3 m tall, approximately four to eight man-hours are necessary; just positioning the above-described "template of plumb lines" requires a person to work approximately one hour.
Auxiliary apparatuses have been conceived to reduce the above-indicated construction times, whilst at the same time permitting a person with little experience to construct well-made brick pillars. A first auxiliary apparatus for constructing brick chimney caps is described in document NL1020353 and comprises:

a mobile profile or mask 8 (e.g. see Figure 1 of NL1020353 ) that reproduces a negative perimeter of the outer cross-section of the pillar to be made, and
a guide 3 along which the mobile profile or mask 8 can be moved.

apparatus

guide

Some of the drawbacks of the apparatus in NL1020353 are (at least partially) resolved by the apparatus described in document US5915809 : raising the mobile profile or mask 50 of this second apparatus is quicker and easier because the mobile profile or mask 50 can slide uninterruptedly along the guideway 18 (e.g. see Figures 1 and 4 of US5915809 ). Nevertheless, the author of the present invention considers that the repeated raising of the mobile profile or mask 50 during construction of the pillar is in any case relatively laborious for the user.
With apparatus US5915809 , in order for the vertical upright comprising the guide 18 to be spatially positioned with precision, as required for constructing a column with the right inclination, it must be nailed or screw anchored to a pre-existing portion of the building by means of bracket 96 and 98. When this portion of building does not exist or is not made with sufficient precision, spatially positioning and orienting the guide 18 with the required precision is not possible or is extremely laborious and time consuming.
Again, the author of present invention also considers the mechanical embodiment of the apparatus in US5915809 relatively complicated and therefore expensive.
A first object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a process that permit quicker and easier construction of pillars and columns in brick, stones or other building blocks and that, all things being equal, reduce construction times and the need for skilled labour, or increase the dimensional precision of the column or pillar obtained.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a process that are improvements with respect to known apparatuses, with particular reference to the laboriousness of use, the speed and precision of installation and positioning of the apparatus itself.

Summary of invention

These objects are achieved, according to a first aspect of the present invention, with a template for constructing pillars or columns having characteristics according to claim 1.
In a second aspect of the invention, these objects are achieved with a template for constructing pillars or columns having characteristics according to claim 2. In a third aspect of the present invention, these objects are achieved with a process for constructing columns or pillars in brick, stone or other building blocks having characteristics according to claim 15.
In one special embodiment of the template according to the invention, the perimeter of the first hollow seat has a shape chosen from the following: rectangle, square, circle, ellipse, ovoid, rhomboid, or parallelogram.
In one special embodiment of the template according to the invention, the fixed frame comprises at least two guideways and, if necessary, not more than two guideways.
In one special embodiment of the template according to the invention, the fixed frame comprises at least two guideways and a connection head that connects the ends or upper portions of the guideways during use, substantially fixing the relative position of one end or upper portion with respect to the other.
In one special embodiment of the template according to the invention, the at least one guideway extends for a length equal to at least the height of the column or pillar to be made.
In one special embodiment of the template according to the invention, at least one of the base or the connection head defines:

a second hollow seat arranged to accept the entire cross-section of the column or pillar to be made along at least one section of the column or pillar itself, and
an opening through which the completed pillar or column or its inner core can pass, by moving the base and/or the connection head transversely to the axis of the pillar, column or core.

at least one wheel, arranged to roll along the at least one guideway,
at least one friction bearing,
at least one rolling-contact bearing, for example ball or roller bearings,
at least one bearing in Teflon, polyamide or self-lubricating materials,
a rack-and-pinion system, and
a nut and worm system.

The advantages that can be achieved with the present invention shall become clearer, to an expert in the field, from the following detailed description of a non-limitative example of a special embodiment, illustrated with reference to the following schematic figures.

List of Figures

Figure 1 shows a load-bearing brick pillar, of known type,
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a template for constructing pillars or columns according to a first special embodiment of the invention,
Figure 3 shows, in a perspective view, a moment in the construction of a pillar faced with face bricks using the template in Figure 2,
Figure 4 shows a top view of the slider of the template in Figure 2,
Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the template in Figure 2,
Figure 6 shows, in a perspective view, a detail of a template for constructing pillars or columns according to a second special embodiment of the invention,
Figure 7 shows the perspective view of a template for constructing pillars or columns according to a second special embodiment of the invention,
Figure 8 shows the perspective view of a column with a brick capital made with the template in Figure 7, and
Figures 9 and 10 show a template for constructing pillars or columns according to a third special embodiment of the invention, more industrialized with respect to the previous embodiments.

Detailed description

Figures 2-5 regard a first special embodiment of the invention. The template according to this embodiment of the invention, indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1, comprises:

a fixed frame, in turn comprising a base 3 and two substantially vertical guideways 5, and
a slider 7 arranged to slide along the guideways 5. The slider 7 forms a first hollow seat 9 that substantially reproduces the full-scale, negative outer shape of the cross-section of the column or pillar in bricks or masonry to be made. As in the embodiment in Figure 2, the first hollow seat 9 can be obtained inside a belt formed by metal straps or welded metal sections.

To be more solid and rigid, the fixed frame can comprise a cross-beam or, more in general, a connection head 11 that connects the top ends of the guideways 5 in a substantially rigid manner. Sometimes, the load-bearing elements of a column or pillar are not just bricks M or stones, but also comprise an inner core AI of concrete (substantially formed by a pillar of smaller section) that is subsequently faced with bricks or stones (Figure 1). Therefore, to allow the template and in particular the first hollow seat 9 to be inserted around the core AI at the beginning of the work, both the base 3 and the first hollow seat 9 as well as the cross-beam or connection head 11 each form an open frame or, in any case, advantageously have an open perimeter, as shown in Figure 2. Reference numerals 17 and 19 respectively indicate the opening of the base 3 and the first hollow seat 9, while reference numeral 16 in Figure 5 indicates the second hollow seat formed by the base 3: the core AI or the finished column or pillar can pass through the openings 17 and 19 by moving the base 3 and the slider 7 perpendicular to or in any case transversely to the axis of the core AI, allowing the template 1 to be positioned around the core AI before facing it with bricks and to take the template 1 off of the finished column or pillar when, for example, the pillar or column reaches an already constructed ceiling. In the embodiment in Figure 2, the base 3 is substantially U-shaped.
Preferably, but not necessarily, the frame 70 of the slider 7 that defines the first hollow seat 9 lies substantially on a plane perpendicular, or in any case transversal, to the axis of the column or pillar to be made (Figures 2-4).
According to one aspect of the invention and as shown in Figure 6, the template 1' can be equipped with a counterweight 100 that partially compensates the weight of the slider 7; the counterweight 100 can be mechanically connected to the slider 7 by means, for example, of a rope, cable, chain, belt or other return element 102. For example, thanks to one or more return pulleys 108 positioned at the top of the guide or guides 5 and 5', the rope or chain 102 lifts the counterweight 100 when the slider 7 is lowered by the user and, vice versa, lowers the counterweight 100 when the slider 7 is raised, so as to make moving the slider 7 less laborious. The counterweight system can make utilization of the template 1, 1' and 1" much less laborious for an operator, especially after several hours of work, and much more rapid, significantly increasing the production rate.
Advantageously, as shown in Figure 6, the guideway or guideways 5 and 5' are internally hollow and the counterweight 100 slides inside one of them, so as to be less in the way.
The weight of the counterweight 100 is preferably between half and twice the weight of the slider 7'. More preferably, the weight of the counterweight 100 is between three and five fourths of the weight of the slider 7'. Even more preferably, the weight of the counterweight 100 is between 0.9 and 1.1 times the weight of the slider 7'. For example, the counterweight 100 could have a weight of approximately 4-5 kg. Preferably, when the template 1 is mounted, the guideways 5 extend vertically for a height HG at least equal to, if not higher than, the height of the column or pillar to be made, so as not to have to remove and refit the template for constructing the same column or pillar.
Each guide 5 can be part of a respective upright 52 that, as shown for example in Figure 9, could also comprise an adjustable foot 54 that supports and extends the same upright 52.
As shown in the embodiment in Figure 9, each guide 5 (as optionally each adjustable foot 54) can be advantageously obtained from common metal section or tubular bar, preferably with closed cross-sections; the optional adjustable foot preferably slides inside the metal section, forming a telescopic subassembly.
In this case, as shown in Figures 2, 6 and 9, the slider 7 can slide in direct contact with the outer surface of the metal sections of the guides 5, but preferably without sliding directly in contact with the adjustable feet 54, so as to reduce play between slider 7 and guides 5 and create more geometrically precise columns or pillars.
Each adjustable foot 54 preferably has a height HP equal to or greater than 0.3 times the height HG of the relevant guideway 5.
Each guide 5 preferably has a height HG of between 1.5 metres and 4 metres, and more preferably between 2 metres and 3 metres.
Each adjustable foot 54 preferably has a height HP of between 0.7 metres and 1.5 metres.
If HG = 2.6 metres and HP = 1.2 metres, the template 1, 1' and 1" allows pillars or columns in facing brickwork to be erected up to approximately 3.3 metres. Advantageously, each guideway 5 comprises a single monolithic piece of metal section having the above-mentioned length HG. This metal section of the guide 5 has closed cross-sections for preferably at least 70% of its length HG, more preferably for 80% of its length HG, and even more preferably for 90% of length HG. Preferably, the height HG of each guideway 5 is equal to at least half the height of the pillar or column in facing brickwork to be made. More preferably, the height HG of each guide 5 is equal to at least two thirds of the height of the pillar or column in facing brickwork to be made.
The above-indicated expedients permit the simplification, weight reduction and increased resistance of the guide 5, 5'and 5" and the template 1, 1' and 1".
According to another aspect of the invention, and as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 9, the template 1, 1' and 1" is provided with one or more struts or props 13 and 13" that support and stabilize the upright or uprights 52, these being fixed (for example, via screws, pins or hinges 130) at least (and preferably exclusively) to the upper half of the upright or uprights 52.
More preferably, the strut(s) or prop(s) 13 and 13" are fixed to the top quarter of the upright or uprights 52. Even more preferably, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 9, the strut(s) or prop(s) 13 and 13" are fixed to the top end of the guide or guideways 5.
The bottoms of struts or props 13 can be stood on (and preferably fixed by nails or screw anchors to) the floor (Figure 3).
This means that during normal use, the strut(s) or prop(s) 13 and 13" are fixed to the upright 52 or to the guide 5 at a height, with respect to the floor, respectively equal or greater than HG/2 or HG/4. This allows the template 1, 1' and 1" to be erected and solidly fixed with precision on a simple floor, without the need to resort to brackets that connect the top end of the template 1, 1' and 1" to ceilings or other overhanging portions of the building in construction, portions that might not even be present.
In addition, the positioning and stabilization of the guideway 5, 5' and 5" with just the floor props 13 and 13" that are fixed to upper half of the upright 52 is more precise and rapid than, for example, the stabilization of the guide 18 by means of the upper bracket 96 and 98 shown in Figures 11 and 12 of document US5915809 .
In any case, as an alternative, the base 3 and the head 11 of the template could be nailed or screw-anchored directly to the floor, ceiling, or other parts of the construction in which the template is used.
A process for using the previously described template 1 shall now be described.
The template 1 is positioned so as to make the perimeters of the first hollow seat 9 and the cross-sections of the column or pillar to be made substantially correspond to each other, and in a way such that the guideways 5 extend substantially parallel to the axis of the column or pillar to be made. With the slider 7 in the lowest position, work begins by arranging the first layer of bricks inside the first hollow seat 9, placing the bricks against the perimeter of the first hollow seat 9. After having completed the first layer of bricks, if necessary, the slider 7 is raised by a predetermined step, by making it slide along the guides 5 and locking it again at the appropriate height (with an opportune locking system 15, such as a screw that presses the head against the guide 5 for example), and then the second layer of bricks is laid in a similar manner, and then the successive layers until the column or pillar is completed (Figure 3); afterwards, the template 1 can be removed.
In this way, it is possible to construct pillars in brick, stone or other building blocks, much more rapidly than using just spirit levels, plumb lines and rules; the template according to the invention allows a square-section brick pillar 50 X 50 cm each side and 2.7-3 m tall to be built in approximately 2-4 hours, with a reduction of around 50% with respect to construction techniques using levels, plumb lines and rules. A template according to the invention also allows aligning and generally arranging bricks and stones with considerable precision and excellent aesthetic results, even if used by not particularly skilled bricklayers.
The template 1 can be produced using low-cost technologies and the not particularly close tolerances of metal structural work, even if a greater coupling precision between the slider 7 and the guides 5 improves the geometrical precision of the columns and pillars that are constructed. For example, the guides 5 could be obtained from normal metal sections and the slider 7 could be a structure of metal straps or welded metal sections.
The fixed frame can be advantageously equipped with just two guideways 5: this number is a good compromise that renders the slider 7 sufficiently sturdy and the mounting and removal of the template before and after use sufficiently rapid. Indicatively, a template 1 with two guides 5 can be mounted and positioned in approximately ten-twenty minutes, and taken down in approximately ten minutes. Clearly however, the number of guideways 5 and 5' could also be different from two, without leaving the scope of the invention. For example, in the embodiments in Figures 6, 9 and 10, only one guideway is present; this reduces the mounting times, weight and cost of the template, as well as the sliding or rolling friction between the guideways 5 and 5' and the slider 7, to a minimum.
From what has been previously explained, it ensues that for constructing columns or pillars in brick or stone having cross-sections of different shape and dimensions it is necessary to use sliders 7 that define hollow seats 9 of different shapes and dimensions. As shown in Figure 6, the fixed frame is advantageously made so that it can be reversibly disassembled and reassembled; in particular, the two guideways 5 can be reversibly dismantled from the base 3 and the connection head 11. In order to use the same base 3 and the same connection head 11, as well as the same guides 5, for constructing columns or pillars having different cross-sections, a set of templates 7 can be advantageously used, each one defining a first hollow seat 9 of different shape and dimensions, but all having the same centre distance L between the slide seats 72 of the guides 5 (Figure 5).
The previously described embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and variations without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. For example, the hollow seat could have a perimeter that is not just square or rectangular, but also circular, elliptical, ovoidal or rhomboidal, for constructing columns or pillars with cross-sections of the corresponding shape. There could be notches, holes, or protuberances, mutually equidistant with a constant pitch, along the guideways and/or a graduated scale for moving the slider along the guideways in constant steps, or in any case, for positioning it with greater precision. In the embodiment in Figure 3, the first hollow seat 9 reproduces the negative outer shape of approximately 80% of the pillar's square cross-section, and this reproduces approximately 80% of the pillar's perimeter. In other embodiments, the slider's hollow seat could reproduce larger (the entire perimeter for example) or smaller portions than 80% of the section of the pillar or column to be made, but preferably at least half: this fraction can be particularly advantageous for constructing pillars with a circular or elliptical section.
Advantageously, as shown in Figure 6, each guideway 5 and 5' has a polygonal outer cross-section, preferably square or rhomboid, and the slider 7 comprises one or more slider wheels 74 arranged to engage with and run on a guide 5 and 5' so as to reduce play, noise and friction between slider 7 and guides 5 and 5'.
Advantageously, as shown in Figure 6, the slider wheels 74 can have concave sides presenting, for example, a perimetric groove, preferably with a V-section, which extends around the entire circumference of the side of each wheel. These concave sides advantageously engage and roll on at least one edge of the guide 5', so as to prevent or further limit undesired rotation of the slider 7 around the axis of the guides 5': this expedient is particularly advantageous when, as in Figures 6, 7, 9 and 10, the template according to the invention is equipped with just one guideway 5, 5' and 5".
Advantageously, the slider 7 is equipped with at least three wheels 74, not coaxial with each other, of which at least one engages with an edge of the guide 5' and at least one other engages with the opposite edge with respect to the axis of the guide 5' itself: this expedient also contributes to generally reducing play between slider 7 and guides 5', and undesired rotation of the slider 7 both around the axis of the guide 5 and 5' or guides 5' and around axes perpendicular (or more in general, transversal) to the guide 5', thereby improving sliding.
As in the embodiment in Figure 6, the slider 7 could also comprise a slider shell 76, in sheet metal for example, on which the concave-sided wheels 74 are fixed such that they are able to rotate.
Advantageously, as shown in Figure 6, the slider 7 could be equipped with a step reference 106, arranged to move the slider 7 a precise distance with respect to one of the already laid layers of bricks or stones of the column or pillar. For example, the step reference 106 could be an L-bracket with a pointed end (Figure 6), or a transparent element with one or more reference lines traced on it. Preferably, the step reference 106 extends vertically, upwards or downwards, from the frame 70 of the slider. The L-bracket 106 could be used, for example, by aligning the horizontal tip on the layer of mortar (also known as "coursing joint" in technical jargon) that horizontally separates the last and the penultimate layer of bricks or building blocks already laid. The step reference 106 allows the slider 5 to be repositioned more rapidly than, for example, using a graduated scale applied along one of the guides 5.
In addition to the use of wheels, as in Figure 6, or by means of a simple slide seat 72 in the same material as the rest of the slider 7, as in Figures 2-5, the sliding coupling between slider 7 and guides 5 and 5' can be accomplished by means of suitable friction bearings (for example, in low-friction materials such as Teflon, nylon or self-lubricating materials) or rolling-contact bearings (for example, ball or roller bearings), or even a rack-and-pinion or nut and worm coupling. The template can optionally be equipped with a motor or an actuator arranged to operate the slider 7 and 7'. As shown in Figure 6, the frame 70' of the slider can be advantageously formed by two half- frames 70A and 70B, each of which is fixed at one end (by screws for example) to the rest of the slider 7', and the other end to the other half-frame. The template 1' can be removed from the finished pillar by disassembling at least one of the two half- frames 70A and 70B.
Advantageously, as shown in Figure 7, the frame 70" of the slider could have one or more telescopic sides so as to allow the length of the sides themselves to be reversibly and rapidly adjusted; in this way, it is possible to use a single frame 70" to make columns or pillars having cross-sections of different shapes and dimensions, for example, square or rectangular.
As in the embodiment in Figure 7, the frame 70" of the slider 7" could comprise a plurality of tubular sections 70C and a plurality of angle brackets 70D. The angle brackets 70D are substantially rigid and their ends are slidingly inserted at the hollow ends of the tubular sections 70C. The lengths of the various sides can be adjusted, for example, by locking the angle brackets 70D with respect to the sections 70C by means of screw knobs 70E. Each screw knob 70E has a male thread at one end that, when screwed into the wall of the associated tubular section 70C, presses the end of the angle bracket 70D against the inner wall of the section 70C itself. Alternatively, the tubular sections 70C and the angle brackets 70D could have a series of through holes and the length of the various sides of the frame 70" could be adjusted by inserting a locking pin inside two coaxial holes, one on the tubular section 70C and the other on the angle bracket 70D.
Advantageously, as shown in Figure 7, the frame 70" could be fixed to the guideway 5' by an adjustable clamping system 70F that allows the tubular section 70C closest to the guide 5' and transversal to it (arrow Fl) to be reversibly moved towards and away from the guideway 5' itself. As shown in Figure 7, the adjustable clamping system 70F could comprise, for example, a slot 70G and a locking screw 70H that, when screwed into the slider 7", locks the sliding of the plate on which the slot 70G is obtained. The adjustable clamping system 70F allows brick bases or capitals CP to be made at the top of pillars without disassembling or substituting the adjustable frame 70" after the intermediate section of the pillar TP has been made (Figure 8).
As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in particular when the template for constructing pillars or columns according to the invention is equipped with just one guideway 5", the struts 13" needed to support the template itself and make it stable can even be just two, one or none. Preferably, if there are only two, the struts 13" are arranged so as to substantially form, together with the guide 5", a pyramid or tetrahedron, so as to create a considerably rigid and stable structure. If necessary, for example, due to the bulk of surrounding objects, the struts 13" could be mounted aligned and coplanar with the single guideway 5".
The examples and lists of possible variants of the present application are to be intended as non-exhaustive lists.

Claims

A template for constructing pillars or columns (1), comprising:
- a fixed frame, in turn comprising at least one upright (52) that is arranged to rest its lower end on an underlying floor (P) and in turn comprises at least one guideway (5), and

- at least one slider (7) arranged to slide along the guideway and defining a first hollow seat (9) that substantially reproduces the full-scale, negative outer shape of at least part of the cross-section of the column or pillar to be made,
characterized by further comprising a counterweight (100) mechanically connected to the at least one slider so as to be lowered when the slider (7) is raised and to be raised when the slider (7) is lowered, in order to facilitate the user in manually raising and lowering the at least one slider and make these operations less laborious.
A template for constructing pillars or columns (1), comprising:
- a fixed frame, in turn comprising at least one upright (52) that is arranged to rest its lower end on an underlying floor (P) and in turn comprises at least one guideway (5),

- at least one slider (7) arranged to slide along the guideway and defining a first hollow seat (9) that substantially reproduces the full-scale, negative outer shape of at least part of the cross-section of the column or pillar to be made, and

- at least one prop or strut (13) arranged to rest its lower end on the floor and fixed to the at least one upright so as to support it in a substantially standing position,
characterized in that
the at least one prop or strut (13) is fixed to the at least one upright (52) at least on the upper half of the upright itself.
A template according to claim 1 and/or 2, wherein:
- the guideway (5) comprises a first tubular bar having, at least for most of its length (HG), substantially closed cross-sections, and

- the at least one slider (7) is arranged to slide along and on the sides of the first tubular bar.
A template according to claim 1 and/or 2, wherein the at least one upright (52) comprises an adjustable foot (54) arranged to rest on the underlying floor (P) during normal use and in turn comprising a second tubular bar arranged for being inserted inside or on the first tubular bar so as to form a telescopic assembly of reversibly adjustable length.
A template according to claim 3 and/or 4, wherein:
- at least one of the first and the second tubular bars has closed cross-sections that form at least two edges and the shape of which is chosen from the following group: square, rectangular, rhomboidal, polygonal and almond-shaped sections, and

- the at least one slider (7) is arranged to slide along said at least two edges when the at least one slider slides along the guideway.
A template according to claim 3 and/or 4, wherein:
- at least one of the first and the second tubular bars has closed cross-sections that form at least two edges located on two opposite sides of the cross-sections, and

- the at least one slider is arranged to slide along said at least two edges when the at least one slider slides along the guideway.
A template according to claim 1, wherein the counterweight (100) has a weight of between half and twice the weight of the at least one slider (7).
A template according to claim 1, comprising at least one lifting cable (102), belt or chain, wherein the at least one lifting cable (102), belt or chain is arranged to mechanically connect the slider (7) and the counterweight (100) such that when the slider (7) is raised, the counterweight (100) is lowered and vice versa.
A template according to claim 1, comprising a dissipator element arranged to brake, without necessarily completely stopping, the movements of the counterweight (100) and/or of the at least one slider (7) along the at least one guideway (5).
A template according to claim 9, wherein the dissipator element is arranged to dissipate at least part of the kinetic energy of the counterweight (100) and/or of the at least one slider (7).
A template according to claim 9, wherein the dissipator element comprises an element chosen from the following group:
- a braked return pulley (108), on and/or around which the at least one lifting cable (102), belt or chain slides,

- a hub on which this return pulley (108) rotates,

- a brake external to the return pulley (108) and arranged to brake the rotation,

- a brake arranged to brake the sliding of the lifting cable (102), belt or chain by acting directly on the lifting cable (102), belt or chain, and

- a brake arranged to act directly on the counterweight (100) or on the slider (7).
A template (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first hollow seat (9) substantially reproduces the outer shape of the at least half of the perimeter of the cross-section of the column or pillar to be made.
A template (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixed frame comprises a base (3) by means of which it can be stood on a floor (P) or on the ground.
A template (1) according to claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the first hollow seat (9) has at least one opening (19) through which the completed pillar or column or its inner core (AI) can pass, by moving the base and/or the connection head transversely to the axis of the pillar, column or core (AI).
A process for constructing columns or pillars in brick, stone or other building blocks, comprising the following operations:
a) preparing a template (1) having characteristics according to one of previous claims,

b) arranging the first hollow seat (9) in correspondence to a first section of the future column or pillar to be made, and

c) positioning a plurality of bricks, stones or other building blocks in the first hollow seat (9), if necessary, binding them with mortar or cement and placing them against or substantially with reference to the perimeter of the first hollow seat (9) so as to make a first section of the column or pillar,

d) sliding the slider (7) parallel to the axis of the column or pillar to be made and arranging the first hollow seat (9) in correspondence to a second section of the future column or pillar to be made, and

e) repeating operation c) and, if necessary, operation

d) for a sufficient number of times to complete the column or pillar.