Split ring attaching and restraining device and method

A split ring comprising:

• a split ring body, the body having a first end and a second end;
• a first fastener hole defined by the first end of the split ring;
• a second fastener hole defined by the second end of the split ring;
• a gap defined by the first and second ends approaching each other where in the first fastener hole and the second fastener hole are aligned to permit a fastener to extend through the first fastener hole, across the gap and through the second fastener hole;
• a protrusion extending beyond the body of the split ring, the protrusion located on the body opposite the gap, wherein the protrusion is integral with the body;
• and
• a plurality of clamping surfaces defined in each of the first and second ends and a plurality of spreading surfaces defined by the fastener and a fastener nut when the fastener and the fastener nut are inserted into the gap and the clamping surfaces are configured to allow the fastener when turned in a clamping direction to bear on the clamping surfaces to clamp the first and second ends together and the spreading surfaces on the fastener and the fastener nut are configured to allow the fastener, when turned in a spreading direction, to bear against the spreading surfaces to spread the first and second ends of the split ring.