Patent ID: 6866301

Claim:
An expandable band comprising: a band body having a first band end portion and a second band end portion, wherein said first band end portion and said second band end portion overlap to form a generally annular shape; a plurality of sequential slots disposed in said first band end portion of said band body; a locking member disposed substantially entirely within said second band end portion of said band body such that said locking member is a unitary one-piece structure with said second band end portion and includes a tab for extending inwardly through an aperture in said second band end portion and into one of said plurality of slots to lock said expandable band at a desired diameter, wherein said band forms a generally annular outer surface having a generally continuous outer radius when said expandable band is locked at said desired diameter, an outer surface of said locking member being within said generally continuous outer radius of said band body; and wherein said second band end portion of said band body includes an end section extending beyond said tab of said locking member.