Patent ID: 8726850

Claim:
A pet collar breakaway buckle device configured to be worn around the neck of a pet, the device comprising: a strap configured to flexibly wrap around the neck of a pet; a first interlocking clasp, the first interlocking clasp comprising: a first strap connector configured to connect to a first end of the strap; a first body attached to the first strap connector, the first body comprising: a first planar side; and a first arcuate side, the first arcuate side located opposite the first planar side; a first lateral slot formed in the first arcuate side from a distal end of the first body toward the first strap connector, the first lateral slot having a first lateral notch wherein the first lateral slot has a larger cross-section at the first lateral notch; and a first protrusion having a default position and being formed from a resilient material such that the first protrusion deflects under a load and returns to the default position responsive to cessation of the load; a first tab that protrudes from the first protrusion; and a second interlocking clasp configured to engage the first interlocking clasp, the second interlocking clasp comprising: a second strap connector configured to connect to a second end of the strap; a second body attached to the second strap connector, the second body comprising: a second planar side; and a second arcuate side, the second arcuate side located opposite the second planar side; a second lateral slot formed in the second arcuate side, the second lateral slot being configured to receive the first protrusion in a sliding engagement between the first interlocking clasp and the second interlocking clasp, the second lateral slot having a second lateral notch being configured to receive the first tab during engagement between the first interlocking clasp and the second interlocking clasp; a second protrusion configured to fit within the first lateral slot during engagement between the first interlocking clasp and the second interlocking clasp, the second protrusion having a default position and being formed from a resilient material such that the second protrusion deflects under a load and returns to the default position responsive to cessation of the load; and a second tab configured to be seated within the first lateral notch; wherein engagement between the first interlocking clasp and the second interlocking clasp is maintained by a bias force of the first protrusion and the second protrusion to their default positions holding the first tab in the second lateral notch and the second tab in the first lateral notch, respectively, and wherein disengagement of the first interlocking clasp from the second interlocking clasp is accomplished by applying a tensile load to the first interlocking clasp and the second interlocking clasp sufficient to cause the first protrusion and the second protrusion to deflect from their default positions, thereby freeing the first tab from the second lateral notch and the second tab from the first lateral notch, respectively.