Patent ID: 7712261

Claim:
A collapsible structure with a self-locking mechanism, comprising: a first hub; at least two struts pivotably connected at first ends thereof to the first hub and movable relative to each another between a folded position and an expanded position; a tension member adapted to limit pivotable movement of the at least two struts such that, when in the expanded position, the at least two struts define an angle of less than 180°; a locking hub having no rigid connection to the first hub; at least two locking struts pivotably connected at first distal ends thereof to the locking hub and, at second distal ends thereof, to connection points on respective ones of the at least two struts; and second struts pivotably connected at first ends thereof to respective ones of the at least two struts, wherein the tension member includes a cover attached to the collapsible structure at second ends of the second struts.