reduce the area of overlap between the locking surfaces and thereby facilitate separation of the secure from the keeper application_number US 73688103 A description with reference initially to fig1 u2013 3 a breakaway buckle in accordance with the present invention is generally depicted at 10 in its operative position as shown the buckle provides a releasable connection between a u201c first u201d adjustment strap 12 sewn to the shoulder pad 14 of a backpack not shown and a u201c second u201d sternum strap 16 extending along an axis u201c x u201d disposed laterally with respect to strap 12 the buckle 10 is a two part assembly consisting of a keeper 18 attachable to strap 12 and a secure 20 attachable to strap 16 as shown in fig3 when the buckle is released the secure 20 is separated from the keeper 18 with reference additionally to fig4 u2013 7 it will be seen that the keeper 18 comprises a bottom wall 22 cooperating with side walls 24 to define a receiving channel 26 alignable with the axis u201c x u201d the receiving channel extends from an open front end to a rear end closed by a back wall 28 the bottom wall 22 is interrupted by an opening 30 adjacent to the front end of receiving channel 26 and the back wall 28 has an abutment 32 projecting therefrom into the receiving channel a lever 34 is integrally joined to and projects from the back wall 28 to overlie the receiving channel 26.