MUMBAI, India, Aug. 24 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641097822 A) filed by Richard Pinto; Alvas Institute Of Engineering And Technology; and Subrahmanya Vittal Bhat Pangala on August 13, 2026, for A Geometric Guidance Apparatus For Formwork-Free Construction Of Pointed (ogival) And Bulbous-Profile Masonry Shells Of Revolution.
Inventors include Subrahmanya Vittal Bhat Pangala; Mahima; Richard Pinto; and Chaithra Mitthur.
The application for the patent was published on August 21, 2026, under issue no. 34/2026.
Abstract: A geometric guidance apparatus for the formwork-free construction of masonry shells of revolution, including pointed (ogival) and bulbous-profile shells. The apparatus comprises a telescopically adjustable central guide post (10), mounted at the true central axis of the shell (110), the telescopic adjustment of which defines a guide post height (80). A platform is mounted for rotation by bearings at the upper end of the guide post (10) and comprises a plurality of rigid guide arms (20) extending radially therefrom, the outer ends of the guide arms (20) being interconnected by a rim forming a rotary actuating member (30) configured for manual rotational actuation of the platform through a complete 360-degree revolution about the true central axis (110). One of the guide arms (20) carries an offset pivot point (40), slidably mounted along its length and lockable at a selected position to define a guide radius (90), being the radial distance between the true central axis (110) and the offset pivot point (40). A guide rod (50) of length (100) is pivotally connected to the offset pivot point (40) and is pivotable within a vertical plane through a guide rod angle (70). The guide rod (50) is maintained in its intended geometric position under its self-weight by a strut-form guide rod support (60) pivoted at the inner end of the same guide arm (20) and operatively connected to the guide rod (50) while permitting unrestricted pivotal movement thereof. Rotation of the platform, combined with the stepwise advancement of the guide rod angle (70) between successive masonry courses (130), causes the free end of the guide rod (50) to trace an arc (120) centred on the offset pivot point (40) rather than the true central axis (110), thereby generating a shell having a pointed crown or a bulbous profile. By selectively varying the guide post height (80), guide radius (90), and guide rod length (100), a plurality of pointed or bulbous shell profiles may be generated using the same reconfigurable apparatus
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