Patent ID: 7406977

Claim:
A tensioned canopy shelter for campers and backpackers, comprising: A weather-resistant canopy comprising a rear end secured in tension and a front end raised and tensioned longitudinally against the rear end in a front-to-rear direction by a front pole support, the front pole support comprising an essentially straight vertical upright pole, the canopy comprising a horizontal ridge strut secured to the front end of the canopy generally perpendicular to the longitudinal tension of the canopy and supported off the ground by the upright pole, the canopy further comprising sidewalls separated by a catenary ridge panel with spaced catenary curve edges extending longitudinally from the horizontal ridge strut at least partway to the rear end of the canopy, the horizontal ridge strut being secured to and defining a forward end of the catenary ridge panel between the spaced catenary curve edges, and means for tensioning the horizontal ridge strut longitudinally forwardly relative to the front end of the canopy to place the catenary ridge panel in longitudinal tension between the rear end and the front pole support.