A band clamp (12; 212) for connecting overlapping first and second pipe ends (A, B), the band clamp (12; 212 comprising): a band (20; 120) extending circumferentially from a first end to a second end and having a pair of axial ends, said band (20; 120) including a radially protruding rib extending circumferentially at least part way between said first and second ends (32, 34) and being located inwardly of said axial ends, said band (20; 120) including a first lateral (43; 143) section extending from a side of said rib and a second lateral section (45; 145) extending from an opposite end of said rib; a tightening mechanism (22; 122) connected to said band (20; 120) to bring said first and second ends (A, B) toward each other to tighten said band (20; 120); and a gasket (26; 126) located radially beneath said band (20; 120) and at least axially within said rib, each of said lateral sections (43, 45; 143, 145) having an axial width within a range of approximately 50 - 150% of an axial width of said rib; said first and second ends (32, 34) of said band including radially extending flanges (32, 34) formed from unitary end portions of said band (20; 120), each of said end portions being folded back onto itself to form said respective flange (32, 34), and each of said flanges (32, 34) having an aperture extending therethrough; and said tightening mechanism (22; 122) including a nut and bolt fastener and a backing plate, said bolt being inserted through said apertures of said flanges (32, 34); characterised in that each of said lateral sections (43, 45; 143, 145) is angled inward with respect to an axis of said band (20; 120) at an angle within a range of approximately 0.5 - 5°; said bolt having a head extending in an axial direction with respect to said band (20; 120) a total distance that is approximately equal to an axial width of said band (20; 120), and said backing plate extending in the axial direction a total distance that is approximately equal to the axial width of said band (20; 120), and wherein a force generated upon tightening of said tightening mechanism (22; 122) is transferred to said first and second lateral sections (43, 45; 143, 145) via said head and backing plate. a band (20; 120) extending circumferentially from a first end to a second end and having a pair of axial ends, said band (20; 120) including a radially protruding rib extending circumferentially at least part way between said first and second ends (32, 34) and being located inwardly of said axial ends, said band (20; 120) including a first lateral (43; 143) section extending from a side of said rib and a second lateral section (45; 145) extending from an opposite end of said rib; a tightening mechanism (22; 122) connected to said band (20; 120) to bring said first and second ends (A, B) toward each other to tighten said band (20; 120); and a gasket (26; 126) located radially beneath said band (20; 120) and at least axially within said rib, each of said lateral sections (43, 45; 143, 145) having an axial width within a range of approximately 50 - 150% of an axial width of said rib; said first and second ends (32, 34) of said band including radially extending flanges (32, 34) formed from unitary end portions of said band (20; 120), each of said end portions being folded back onto itself to form said respective flange (32, 34), and each of said flanges (32, 34) having an aperture extending therethrough; and said tightening mechanism (22; 122) including a nut and bolt fastener and a backing plate, said bolt being inserted through said apertures of said flanges (32, 34); characterised in that each of said lateral sections (43, 45; 143, 145) is angled inward with respect to an axis of said band (20; 120) at an angle within a range of approximately 0.5 - 5°; said bolt having a head extending in an axial direction with respect to said band (20; 120) a total distance that is approximately equal to an axial width of said band (20; 120), and said backing plate extending in the axial direction a total distance that is approximately equal to the axial width of said band (20; 120), and wherein a force generated upon tightening of said tightening mechanism (22; 122) is transferred to said first and second lateral sections (43, 45; 143, 145) via said head and backing plate.