Patent ID: 8127406

Claim:
A hose clamp comprising a plate spring body curved into an annular configuration, wherein: a first end portion of the plate spring body comprises a slit extending in a circumferential direction, and a first tab protruding radially outwards, a second end portion of the plate spring body comprises an insertion section which is insertable into the slit and slidable within the slit in the circumferential direction, and a second tab protruding radially outwards from an end portion of the insertion section and arranged to be opposed to the first tab, the plate spring body is increased in diameter against a resilient force thereof when the first tab and the second tab are brought close to each other, and the plate spring body is reduced in diameter in a free state, the first tab comprises a hook-like engagement section extending toward the second tab and extending in a width direction of the plate spring body, the hook-like engagement section being engagable with a surface of the second tab on a side opposite to a surface opposed to the first tab, the second tab comprises an operation section extending in the width direction of the plate spring body for a predetermined length so as to be situated above the engagement section, and a stopper portion which, when the engagement section is engaged with the surface of the second tab on the side opposite to the surface opposed to the first tab, maintains an engaged state therebetween, in the free state in which the plate spring body is reduced in diameter, the engagement section is situated to be deviated in the width direction with respect to the stopper portion and is thereby free from overlapping the stopper portion when viewed in the circumferential direction, and when the engagement section is engaged with the second tab, a gap into which a thin and narrow distal end of a tool is insertable is formed between an upper surface of the engagement section and a lower surface of the operation section.