Self-tightening hose clamp

A self-tightening hose clamp comprising:

• a substantially circular shaped member disposed in a first plane, said member defining a substantially circular opening, said member having end portions overlapping one another;
• and
• a first leg extending from one of said end portions on one side of said first plane at a first angle thereto;
• a second leg extending from the other of said end portions on said one side of said first plane at said first angle thereto,
• whereby displacement of said first and second legs towards each other causes said opening to increase in size by expansion of said member.

A self-tightening hose clamp comprising:

• a flexible arcuate portion having a substantially circular shape defining an aperture and disposed in a plane, said arcuate portion having a first diameter when in a rest position, and a second diameter when in an open position, said arcuate portion having a first end and a second end;
• a first extension extending from said first end, said first extension including a first elbow and a first ear, said first elbow and said first ear disposed within a first plane, wherein said first plane is orthogonal to said plane of said arcuate portion;
• a second extension extending from said second end, said second extension including a second elbow and a second ear, said second elbow and said second ear disposed within a second plane, wherein said second plane is orthogonal to said plane of said arcuate portion;
• and
• wherein when said first ear and said second ear are brought proximate to one another, said arcuate portion is caused to expand from said first position to said second position.

A method of applying a self-tightening hose clamp, comprising the steps of:

• providing a flexible member having a substantially circular shape disposed in a first plane, said flexible member expandable from a first position defining a first opening to a second position defining a second opening, said second opening being larger than said first opening, said flexible member having first and second spaced apart ends, said flexible member having a first projection extending from said first end of said flexible member on one side of said first plane, said first projection having a longitudinal axis arranged substantially perpendicular to said first plane, and a second projection extending from said second end of said flexible member on said one side of said first plane, said second projection having a longitudinal axis arranged substantially perpendicular to said first plane, wherein manipulation of said first and second projections towards each other causes said flexible member to expand from said first position to said second position;
• expanding said flexible member from said first position to said second position;
• slidably receiving a first tubular member in said opening of said hose clamp and translating said hose clamp in a first direction along said first tubular member, said tubular member having a hollow chamber extending therethrough;
• placing a second tubular member within said hollow chamber of said first tubular member;
• translating said hose clamp along said first tubular member to a position overlapping said second tubular member;
• and
• allowing said hose clamp to contract back to said first position from said second position.