US Patent 9683387 Canopy shelter link point

A canopy shelter link point for increased structural integrity particularly when subject to bending forces about the link point. The canopy shelter link point can include an increased overlap distance between two cross members, reduced spacing between adjacent cross members, and/or extension features located about an end of the cross members to reduce the misalignment angle between two cross members. Such features can be provided using spacers, inserts to be inserted into a cross member and/or sleeves to be placed around the cross member. A reduction in the misalignment angle can reduce the amount of bending forces about the link point.