Buckle assembly with disengagement prevention device

A buckle assembly, comprising:

• a male buckle member including:
• an insertion portion having a pair of opposing locking structures disposed at a distal end of the insertion portion, and
• a first strap holding structure formed at a proximal end of the insertion portion, the first strap holding structure being configured to affix the male buckle member to a first strap segment;
• a female buckle member including:
• a receiving void configured to receive the insertion portion of the male buckle member, the receiving void having openings extending perpendicular to a long axis of the female buckle member, the openings being configured to holdingly receive the respective locking structures, and
• a second strap holding structure formed opposite to the receiving void, the second strap holding structure being configured to affix the female buckle member to a second strap segment;
• and
• a disengagement prevention device configured for engagement with the male and female buckle members to maintain the male and female buckle members in a coupled state under conditions where the male and female buckle members are not properly engaged or the engagement between the male and female buckle members is accidentally released.

A method for preventing disengagement of a buckle assembly when a locking structure of the buckle assembly is accidentally released, the method comprising:

• looping a securing loop, attached to a receiving member, about an insertion member;
• inserting the insertion member into a void formed on the receiving member;
• and
• engaging a locking structure of the insertion member with openings formed on the receiving member.