Patent ID: 8695172

Claim:
A hose clamp, comprising: a plate spring main body which is curved into a ring-like shape, wherein one end portion of the plate spring main body includes: a slit extending along a circumferential direction; and a first grip piece projecting radially outwards, wherein an other end portion of the plate spring main body includes: an insertion piece which is inserted into the slit so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction therewithin; and a second grip piece projecting radially outwards from an end portion of the insertion piece so as to face the first grip piece, wherein the plate spring main body is diametrically contracted when it is in a free state, and by bringing the first grip piece and the second grip piece close to each other from the free state, the plate spring main body is diametrically expanded against an elastic force, wherein the first grip piece includes a locking piece which extends in the circumferential direction from a projection halfway position of the first grip piece towards the second grip piece via a bent portion, the locking piece including a distal end portion which extends in a hook-like fashion in a width direction of the plate spring main body as a locking portion, the locking portion being engageable with one side of the second grip piece which is opposite to an other side of the second grip piece facing the first grip piece, wherein the second grip piece includes an engagement holding portion which holds an engagement between the locking portion and the one side of the second grip piece, wherein the locking portion is offset in the width direction relative to the second grip piece so as not to overlap therewith in the circumferential direction, in the free state where the plate spring main body is diametrically contracted, wherein one side edge of the locking piece, which faces the second grip piece when the locking portion and the second grip piece are engaged, includes: a taper portion which extends from the locking portion towards the bent portion while expanding in the width direction of the plate spring main body; and a stopper portion which extends substantially parallel to the first grip piece from a distal end of the taper portion near the bent portion, wherein the taper portion is disposed along a plane which is substantially parallel to a circumferential surface of the plate spring main body, and wherein, when viewed from a direction of a centerline of the plate spring main body, an intersection point of the taper portion and the stopper portion is offset in the width direction of the plate spring main body relative to the locking portion.