Apparatus and method for shaping hose

Abstract

A shaped hose assembly includes a length of hose having an external surface and a hose form including a non-continuous, generally curved wall that extends around the circumference of the external surface of the hose. The wall includes a first axially extending end and a second axially extending end. The hose form also includes at least one bend of predetermined radius. A method for shaping hose is also provided.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A shaped hose assembly, comprising: 
 a length of hose having an external surface; and    a hose form including a non-continuous, generally curved wall that extends around the circumference of the external surface of the hose, the wall including a first axially extending end and a second axially extending end, the hose form also including at least one bend of predetermined radius, wherein said first axially extending end extends in a generally continuous radial orientation relative to the axis of the hose assembly along an axial length of said hose form, wherein a gap between the first and second axially extending ends is slightly less than a diameter of the external surface of the hose, wherein the gap is generally constant along the axial length of the hose form, and wherein the hose form includes at least two bends each being of a predetermined dimension.    
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the generally curved, non-continuous wall extends greater than half-way around the circumference of the external surface of the hose.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first axially extending end is positioned proximate an outer edge of the bend and the second axially extending end is positioned proximate an inner edge of the bend.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said curved wall extends in a generally continuous radial orientation relative to the axis of the hose assembly along the axial length of said hose form.  
   
   
       25 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said first axially extending end extends along the entire axial length of said hose form.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the predetermined dimension of each of said bends is distinct from the other of said bends.  
   
   
       27 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the predetermined dimension is a radius.  
   
   
       28 . A method for shaping hose, comprising: 
 providing a predetermined length of hose and a predetermined length of tubing having an external diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the hose;    placing the tubing within the hose at a desired location; and    bending the tubing to impart the desired shape in the hose.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the providing step is further defined by providing a length of tubing having an external diameter that is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the hose.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the providing step is further defined by providing a length of tubing that is longer than the length of the desired bend.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the providing step is further defined by providing tubing of sufficient length to cover at least two bends in the hose.