Apparatus for bending a flexible conduit

An apparatus for the controlled bending of a flexible conduit, said conduit having first and second ends, said apparatus comprising:

• a first assembly adapted for attachment to said first end of said flexible conduit, said first assembly including a first cam surface and a first extendable portion;
• a second assembly adapted for attachment to said second end of said flexible conduit, said second assembly being pivotally attached to said first assembly for rotation therewith about an axis of rotation passing through said first and second assemblies, said second assembly including a second extendable portion adapted to cooperate with said first cam surface of said first assembly;
• and
• a first, variable distance between said axis of rotation and said first end of said conduit;
• whereby said first cam surface of said first assembly cooperates with said second extendable portion to vary said first distance as said second assembly is rotated with respect to said first assembly.