Self-locking and inverting canopy

A method for pitching a collapsible shelter that has a canopy structure;

• a central hub attached to the canopy structure and pivotally attached to first ends of a plurality of ribs, wherein opposite second ends of the ribs are detachably connected to the canopy structure by a plurality of connectors, the method comprising the steps of:
• initially positioning the canopy structure in a collapsed, relaxed state with the ribs in a non-tensioned condition and depending downward in a first direction away from the central hub, wherein corners of the canopy structure lie below the central hub;
• and
• applying a first force to the central hub in a second direction to cause inversion of the canopy structure from a relaxed state to a full deployed state and further cause the plurality of ribs to pivot relative to the central hub from the non-tensioned condition to a tensioned condition in which the ribs have a degree of curvature formed therealong, wherein in the tensioned condition, the ribs are locked in place in the central hub.

A collapsible shelter comprising:

• a canopy;
• a center hub attached only to the canopy;
• a plurality of ribs that are pivotally attached to the center hub and pivot between a collapsed state and an extended state in which the ribs extend radially outward from the central hub;
• and
• a plurality of connectors, each connector being fixedly connected to the canopy by a coupling element and including a first portion that receives one end of one rib and a second portion for receiving one leg that is part of a set of legs that suspend the canopy above the ground, wherein the connector includes a cam feature at a first end of the first portion for releasably attaching the coupling element to the connector and applying tension to the canopy.