Abstract: A flexible hose comprises a flexible helically convoluted plastics material tube 12 wound helically with a reinforcing profile strip 14. The strip 14 is of such a cross-section as to support the tube wall and limit the maximum radius of curvature R2 at maximum flexion to a value less than that which is obtain with an equivalent standard hose FIG. 5). Preferably the profiled strip has a cross-section which is non-circular and comprises two components, one 18 being substantially axially of the tube, and the other 20 being substantially radially of the tube. The axial component provides support for the tube wall and the radial component serves to improve resistance to radial forces and limits the radius of curvature of the adjacent convolution.

Abstract: A method of forming a permanent curve in a length of convoluted wire-reinforced flexible plastics tubing comprises the steps of first flexing the chosen region of the tube into a curve whose radius is tighter than that eventually desired; forcibly holding said region in said tighter than desired curves; applying to the tube an internal pressure which is insufficient to burst the tube but which is high enough to strain the wire-reinforcement, the tube material, or both, in the bend region beyond its or their elastic limit; maintaining said internal pressure for a finite period of time; releasing the pressure; and finally releasing the tube from its preheld curve.