Abstract: A coupling band for forming a pipe joint between adjacent ends of a pair of respective pipe lengths has an elongate fastener tongue at one end which is fed through a corresponding receiver at the other end of the band. The tongue and the receiver are provided with complementary ratchet-type teeth so that the tongue can be fed through the receiver in a band-tightening direction and so that the teeth will effectively hold the tongue within the receiver, preventing it from being withdrawn in a band-relaxing direction. A manually operated rotary ratcheting tool is provided for feeding the tongue through the receiver in order to tighten the band when forming the pipe joint. When the band has been tightened to the required extent, the ratcheting tool is removed and a leading end of the tongue which has passed through the receiver is bent back over the top of the receiver in the form of a hook providing additional security against release of the band.