Flexible canopy

A canopy comprising:

• a membrane having a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration;
• a plurality of sheaths attached to the membrane;
• a plurality of supports each having an undeformed shape and including a top end, an opposing bottom end, and a body extending therebetween, wherein the top ends of the plurality of supports are respectively disposed within the plurality of sheaths;
• a plurality of tensioners each having a top end connected to one of the sheaths at a fixed location along said sheath and an opposing bottom end;
• a central shaft including a top end and an opposing bottom end, wherein the bottom ends of the tensioners are attached to the central shaft;
• and
• a collar to which the bottom ends of the plurality of supports are connected, the collar surrounding the central shaft and being slidably connected to the central shaft such that the collar is movable relative to the central shaft toward the top end of the central shaft to cause the membrane to shift from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration,
• wherein when the membrane is in the unfolded configuration:
• (1) the supports are biased to return to their undeformed shapes and cause the sheaths within which the top ends of the supports are disposed to exert tensile forces on the tensioners connected to the sheaths, and (2) the tensioners exert corresponding tensile forces on the sheaths that prevent the supports from returning to their undeformed shapes.