Patent ID: 7603752

Claim:
A support band, comprising: at least one band segment; a first connection end and a second connection end; the first and second connection ends each having a generally planar mounting surface with a wedge end, a generally planar wedge surface extending from the wedge end forming an acute angle with respect to the mounting surface, and a generally planar stand-off surface between the mounting surface and proximate a distal end of the wedge surface; the mounting surface, the wedge surface and the stand-off surface each in a separate plane; the first and second connection end mounting surfaces coupled to the at least one band segment; a wedge member proximate the wedge surfaces; the wedge member having wedge portions dimensioned to engage the wedge surfaces of the first and second connection ends; a generally planar support plate proximate the mounting surfaces; and a fastener between the wedge member and the support plate, aligned with a longitudinal axis normal to the mounting surfaces; the fastener operable to draw the wedge member towards the support plate, the wedge portions engaging the wedge surfaces to bias the first connection end away from the second connection end as the wedge member is drawn towards the support plate.