Smooth band clamp with movable locking element

A clamping device having a band and cooperating buckle for facilitating securement of a band periphery, comprising:

• a band having a first end and a second end;
• a buckle positioned on said band, having a passage extending therethrough of a size and shape sufficient to receive said band;
• locking means disposed within said buckle and between overlapping portions of said band to effectuate securement of the band periphery;
• wherein said band includes a band guide disposed proximate said first end to assist placement of said second end over said locking means.

A clamping device having a band, a cooperating buckle and a locking element for facilitating securement of a band periphery, comprising:

• the band having a first end and a second end, said first end including buckle retaining means to prevent said first end from moving through said buckle;
• a raised portion disposed on said band proximate said first end for preventing movement of the locking element in a direction toward said second end;
• the buckle positioned on said band and having a passage extending therethrough of a size and shape sufficient to receive said band;
• the locking element positioned on said band between said raised portion and said first end, said locking element movable towards and away from said raised portion;
• wherein, when said locking element is adjacent said raised portion, said band periphery is adjustable by inserting said second end of said band through said buckle and over said locking element to said desired band periphery, and when said desired band periphery is attained, said second end of said band is released and retracts relative to said buckle to cause said locking element to move away from said raised portion and to secure movement of said band against further periphery adjustment.

A clamping device having a band and cooperating buckle for facilitating securement of a band periphery, comprising:

• a band having a first end and a second end;
• a buckle positioned on said band, having a passage extending therethrough of a size and shape sufficient to receive said band;
• said band at least partially overlapping itself within said buckle;
• locking means disposed within said buckle and in contact with both overlapping portions of said band to effectuate securement of the band periphery;
• wherein said band includes a band guide disposed proximate said first end to assist placement of said second end over said locking means.

A method for clamping an object or group of objects, comprising:

• providing a band having a first end and a second end;
• providing a buckle having a base, top and opposed side walls and a passage extending through, said passage of a size and shape sufficient to receive therein said band;
• providing a locking element;
• positioning said buckle on said band;
• positioning said locking element on said band and within said buckle wherein said locking element can move between a first position and a second position;
• placing a band guide adjacent said first end of said band to facilitate moving said second end of said band over said locking element;
• locating said band, said buckle and said locking element adjacent an object to be clamped;
• placing said first end of said band around said object, through said buckle and over said locking element to define an overlapping portion of said band with said locking element disposed therebetween;
• adjusting a periphery of said band through said buckle to its desired tightened position, wherein said locking element is in said first position until said band is adjusted to a desired periphery;
• and,
• releasing said first end of said band, wherein said locking element moves to said second position to secure said band at the desired periphery.