CA2619634A1 - Infant carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A sling-type infant carrier having a flexible tube body with an inner and outer wall defining a longitudinally extending pouch suitable for receiving an infant;
and two or more adjustment means for independently adjusting the the overall size of the infant carrier, support offered to an infant in the pouch and distribution of the load on the user's shoulder. The fabric for the tube body has a high-stretch direction and a low-stretch direction generally perpendicular to the high-stretch direction, and is oriented to stretch as required to accommodate an infant.

Description

Y:\SE101\3499 CA\Spec & Claims\Spec FINAL 080204.wpd INFANT CARRIER

Field of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to fabric sling-type infant carriers designed to be supported by a shoulder of the user and to carry an infant essentially at the front or side of the user's upper body.

Background of the Invention [0002] Persons caring for infants often need to be able to use their hands to perform necessary tasks while carrying their infants and infants need the security of close proximity to their care givers. Apparatus for carrying infants have been in use since time immemorial. Sling-type carriers wherein the carrier circles the user's upper body, passing over one shoulder (which shoulder supports the sling) and under the opposite arm, and including a pouch or recess, located in use at the user's abdomen or hip, to hold an infant, are well known.

[0003] Traditional sling-type carriers typically comprise a rectangular or generally rectangular piece of fabric, with the ends of the fabric gathered and secured one to the other, in the vicinity of the user's shoulder. Different means have been used to secure the ends of the fabric comprising a sling, including:
suitable knots; double buckle rings attached to one end, through which the other end is inserted and doubled back; etc. Such traditional sling-type carriers have several disadvantages, including that such slings tend to be bulky, and are awkward to wear and use. As well, the conventional securing means tend to be unreliable and awkward to use, and generally require a cumbersome amount of excess fabric.
Further, traditional sling-type carriers may be uncomfortable if worn for extended Page 1 of 18 periods, particularly when used with heavier infants, in that the portion of the sling overlying the user's shoulder, and the means for securing the sling together, may cause excessive localized pressure at, or in the vicinity of, the user's shoulder.

[0004] Sling-type carriers have been designed intending to overcome the disadvantages of traditional such carriers. The known modern designs for slings tend to be relatively complicated (and thus expensive), in that, at the least, the slings have shaping pleats or darts, and more typically, they have distinct shoulder pads and shoulder straps.

[0005] For example, US Patent No. 4,757,925 (BABY CARRIER, issued 19 July 1988 to Knittel), discloses a pouch formed by gathering each of two opposed edges of a shaped fabric panel and then attaching each such gathered end to an adjustable strap via a yoke.

[0006] Further, US Patent No. 5,857,598 (BABY SLING WITH IMPROVED
RETAINER, issued 12 January 1999 to Dunne), discloses a sling-type carrier having a shaped carrier panel with padded side rail portions, and a pair of buckle rings at one end of the carrier panel and an elongate tail portion at the other end, wherein the buckle rings provide a conventional means of securing the tail portion.
The tail portion includes a stop at its distal end to prevent the tail portion from completely disengaging from the buckle rings should the tail portion slip within the buckle rings.

[0007] Further, US Patent No. 6,112,960 (COMBINATION SLING CARRIER
AND CUSHION, issued 5 September 2000 to Seering et al.), discloses a one-piece sling sewn into a loop, having an integral pocket into which the balance of the sling may be inserted for storage purposes or to act as a cushion) and longitudinally extending pleats which define a shelf/pouch for supporting/containing an infant.
The Seering et al. sling be may used to carry a small reclining infant, in which case the portion of the sling over the user's shoulder is folded into a relatively narrow Page 2 of 18 band essentially resting on the user's shoulder, or to carry a larger infant in a vertical or sitting position at the user's hip, in which case the sling is unfolded such that the portion of the sling at the user's shoulder is expanded into a wider band that in use may span the user's shoulder and the portion of the sling supporting the infant may span from the top of the infant's legs (which typically straddle the user's hip) to the infant's shoulders or head.

[0008] Further, US patent No. 6,213,362 (SLING-TYPE INFANT CARRIER, issued 10 April 2001 to Lorenzini et al.), discloses: a shaped sling body for containing an infant made from a soft stretch fabric and having padded upper bands with reinforcing structural straps; and an adjustable and detachable strap having a broad shaped shoulder pad. The sling is described as being capable of accommodating infants of different sizes through the stretchiness of the sling body and the adjustability of the shoulder strap.

[0009] Further, US Patent No. 4,750,653 (HIP-SLING BABY CARRIER WITH
LEG WARMERS, issued 14 June 1988 to Prunty) and US Patent No. 6,595,396, issued 22 July 2003), disclose sling-type carriers designed to hold an infant in a vertical or sitting position adjacent to, or straddling, the user's hip. Such slings are not suitable for newborns (who are unable to sit up or support their heads) and so such a sling would presumably would not be suitable until the child was at least a few months old.

[0010] One disadvantage of the prior-art slings is that they are not designed to accommodate: changes in the ambient temperature (i.e. the sling material may be too insulative or inadequately insulative, resulting in a too hot or too cold infant, depending on the ambient temperature); or precipitation (the fabric of most slings is breathable for greater infant comfort). Outer garments specially designed to be worn over an infant in a vertical carrier are known, e.g., a fleece vest that accommodates an infant in a vertical-type carrier is sold under the name Peekaru Page 3 of 18 OriginalT"" by TogetherBe LLC of Denver, USA. Further, covers intended to protect infants in vertical carriers (or car seats or strollers), from the harmful effects of exposure to ultra-violet sunlight are also known, e.g., the Peekaru OzoneTM
sold by TogetherBe LLC. However, the known such products, including the Peekaru OriginalT"" and Peekaru OzoneTM, are not configured for use with sling-type carriers.

[0011] What is needed is a relatively uncomplicated sling-type carrier that is comfortable for the user; can readily accommodate infants of different sizes;
and can accommodate differences in temperature and precipitation.

Summary of the Invention [0012] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an adjustable and comfortable sling-type infant carrier.

[0013] In one aspect, there is provided a sling-type infant carrier intended to generally encircle the user's upper body over one shoulder and under the opposite arm, and suitable for carrying an infant in a reclining position at the front of the user's upper body (presumably a smaller infant, such as a newborn) or in an essentially vertical or sitting position adjacent to, or straddling, the user's hip (presumably, a larger infant). The infant carrier comprises: a flexible tube body, having an upper tube end and a lower tube end, and having an inner and outer wall attached one to the other in the vicinity of the lower tube end so as to define a longitudinally extending pouch suitable for receiving an infant; and two or more adjustment means for independently adjusting the diameter of the tube body at two or more adjustment locations spaced apart one from the other generally laterally with respect to the upper and lower ends; wherein, in use, a portion of the tube body generally spans a shoulder of the user, and the overall size of the infant carrier, support offered to an infant in the pouch and distribution of the load on the Page 4 of 18 user's shoulder, may be adjusted by selectively adjusting the adjustment means.

[0014] The tube body preferably comprises a single-layered tubular article, that in use is folded within itself such that the inner wall is an inner portion of the folded article and the outer wall is an outer portion of the folded article.
Preferably, the inner and outer walls are elasticized in the vicinity of the upper tube end.

[0015] Preferably, there are four adjustment means, each including: a line; an outer wall attachment location at which a proximal portion of the line is secured to the outer wall; an outer wall drawing location spaced apart from the attachment location in a direction generally parallel to the tube ends and having a drawing opening, encircling a portion of the line distal from the attachment location;
an adjustable stop on the line distal from the drawing opening, the stop configured to be releasably securable to the line so as to impede movement of the stop distally along the line; the drawing opening configured to permit passage of the line and impede passage of the stop; wherein the diameter of the tube body at the adjustment location of the adjustment means may be: reduced by drawing the line through the drawing opening so as to draw the attachment location and drawing location towards each other and, once a desired reduced diameter is achieved, securing the stop to the line in the vicinity of the drawing opening; and increased by releasing the stop and moving it distally along the line so as to permit the attachment location and drawing location to move apart one from the other.

[0016] Preferably, each adjustment means further comprises a fabric channel between the outer wall attachment location and the outer wall drawing location within which the portion of the line running between the outer wall attachment location and the outer wall drawing location is disposed, wherein the drawing opening is an eye formed in the fabric comprising the channel.

[0017] Preferably, the fabric comprising the inner and outer walls of the tube Page 5 of 18 body has asymmetrical distortion characteristics in that the fabric has a high-stretch direction and a low-stretch direction generally perpendicular to the high-stretch direction, wherein the fabric is configured to readily elongate in the high-stretch direction and to less readily elongate in the low-stretch direction, and wherein, in the tube body, the fabric is oriented such that the low-stretch direction is generally parallel with the upper tube end. Preferably, the fabric is a mesh having oblong openings, wherein the longitudinal axes of the oblong openings are generally parallel to the low-stretch direction. Preferably, the longitudinal dimension of each oblong opening is about 2 mm or less. Preferably, the fabric is a polyester fabric.

[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an infant carrier system suitable for carrying an infant in a variety of weather conditions, the system including: a sling-type infant carrier having a longitudinally extending pouch suitable for receiving an infant in a reclining position at the front of the user's upper body or in an essentially vertical or sitting position adjacent to, or straddling, the user's hip, and substantially made from an open mesh fabric; a rain cover comprising a loop of water-resistant fabric having elasticized edges and configured to pass over one shoulder of a user and under the other arm for use in covering an infant in the infant carrier; a sun cover comprising a loop of breathable fabric configured to impede the passage of sunlight, having elasticized edges and configured to pass over one shoulder of a user and under the other arm for use in covering an infant in the infant carrier; and a cold cover comprising a loop of insulative fabric having elasticized edges and configured to pass over one shoulder of a user and under the other arm for use in covering an infant in the infant carrier;
wherein the user may, when carrying an infant in the infant carrier, use the infant carrier alone or in combination with one or more of the covers. Preferably, each cover includes an integral stuff sack.

Summary of the Drawings Page 6 of 18 [0019] Figure 1 is an elevation front view of a sling-type infant carrier embodiment of the present invention, shown being used by a woman to carry a small infant.

[0020] Figure 2 is an elevation back view of the woman and infant carrier shown in Figure 1, showing the adjustment panel adjusted to accommodate the woman and the infant shown in Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 3 is an elevation front view of the infant carrier of Figure 1, shown being used by a woman to carry a toddler.

[0022] Figure 4 is an elevation back view of the woman and infant carrier shown in Figure 3, showing the adjustment panel adjusted to accommodate the woman and the toddler shown in Figure 3.

[0023] Figure 5 is a plan view of the infant carrier of Figure 1 in the unfolded configuration, showing the side of the infant carrier having the adjustment panel, with, for clarity, the elastic within the inner and outer casing shown expanded to the extent permitted by the casing.

[0024] Figure 6 is a plan view of the infant carrier of Figure 1 in the folded as-used configuration, showing the side of the infant carrier having the adjustment panel, with, for clarity, the elastic within the inner and outer casing shown expanded to the extent permitted by the casings and the inner casing shown projecting from behind the outer casing.

[0025] Figure 7 is a plan view of the infant carrier of Figure 1 in the folded configuration, showing the side of the infant carrier having a stuff pocket, with, for clarity, the elastic within the inner and outer casing shown expanded to the extent permitted by the casings and the inner casing shown projecting from behind the Page 7 of 18 outer casing.

[0026] Figure 8 is a plan view of the pattern of the piece of fabric from which the body of the infant carrier of Figure 1 is made.

[0027] Figure 9 is partially cutaway view of the adjustment panel of the infant carrier of Figure 1.

[0028] Figure 10 is a front elevation view of the infant carrier shown in Figure 1, being used by a woman to carry an infant and being used with a cover.

[0029] Figure 11 is a plan view of a cover of the type shown in Figure 10, showing the side of the cover having a stuff pocket, with, for clarity, the elastic within the cover casing and hem shown expanded to the extent permitted by the casings.

[0030] Figure 12 is a plan view of the general pattern of the piece of fabric from which the cover body of a cover of the type shown in Figure 10 is made.
Detailed Description with Reference to the Drawings [0031] A sling-type infant carrier embodiment of the present invention is generally identified in the drawings by reference number 20.

[0032] The infant carrier 20 is shown in use with a smaller infant 22, such as a newborn, in a reclining position at the front of the upper body of the user 23 in Figures 1 and 2, and in use with a larger infant 24 capable of sitting upright, such as a toddler, in Figures 3 and 4.

Page 8 of 18 [0033] The general pattern 26 for the body 28 of the infant carrier 20 is shown in Figure 8. The pattern 26 has two opposed straight edges 30 and two opposed curved edges 32. As indicated in Figure 5, which shows one side of the assembled infant carrier 20, the infant carrier 20 is made by sewing the curved edges 32 to each other, attaching an adjustment panel 34, attaching elastic (not shown) to the straight edges 30 and finishing the thus elasticized edges with a casing 36.
For clarity, the elasticized edges are shown expanded to the extent permitted by the casings 36; in an actual infant carrier 20, unless the straight edges 30 are under sufficient tension to stretch the elastics to the extent permitted by the casings 36, the elastics cause the fabric of the body 28 in the vicinity of the elastics to assume multiple folds. The material used for the casings 36 should be suitable for contact with the delicate skin of an infant; a satiny material, as is conventional for casings for baby blankets, is preferable, so long as it is robust enough to case the elastics without undue wear.

[0034] As shown in a partially cutaway isolation view in Figure 9, the adjustment panel 34 includes two cords 38 sewn to the body 28 at an intermediate location on the cords 38, wherein each cord 38 has two free tails, each such tail referred to herein as an adjustment cord 40. Overlying the cords 38 is a fabric panel 42 sewn to the body 28 so as to define four cord channels 44 between the fabric panel 42 and the body 28, within which the adjustment cords 40 are disposed. Each adjustment cord 40 exits the associated cord channel 44 via an eye 46 formed in the fabric panel 42 or the body 28 (depending on whether the fabric panel 42 is attached to the interior or exterior of the infant carrier 20). In the preferred embodiment, the eyes 46 are reinforced with encircling stitching comparable to the typical finishing of a button hole. Alternatively, the eyes 46 may be reinforced by other means, such as a grommet (not shown) or the like. On each adjustment cord 40, there is a conventional cord lock 48. The illustrated cord locks 48 each comprise a plug and a spring within a cylinder, the plug and cylinder each having a passageway for an adjustment cord 40, and configured such that the Page 9 of 18 spring tends to cause the passageways to be misaligned so as to impede movement of a cord through the passageways and such that the passageways may be aligned to permit such cord movement by manual compression of the cord lock. Cord locks are well known alternatives to stop knots in various applications and are readily available in a variety of configurations.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, preparatory to being used, the infant carrier 20 is folded so as to bring the straight edges 30 into rough parallel alignment, one within the other, such that the thus folded body 28 defines a pouch 50 extending about the circumference of the infant carrier 20.

[0036] As indicated in Figure 7, an integral stuff sack 52 (not shown in Figures 1 through 4) is attached to the exterior of the body 28. The stuff sack 52 includes a conventional closure means comprising a line 54 and a line lock 56, similar to the cord locks 48. The stuff sack 52 should be large enough so that when inverted it can receive all of the infant carrier 20. The stuff sack 52 may also be used to carry other items.

[0037] The preferred fabric for the body 28 is a polyester mesh fabric having an asymmetrical distortion characteristic, commonly referred to as "sport mesh" or "athletic mesh". As compared to other yarns or filaments commonly used to make woven fabrics, polyester is a relatively low-stretch material. Thus the majority of any "stretch" in the mesh fabric comes from the weave pattern rather than from elasticity of the polyester yarns or filaments. The openings in the mesh fabric are oblong (i.e. roughly elliptical), with the result that tension along the longitudinal axes of the openings tends to merely slightly lengthen the longitudinal axes, narrowing and closing the opening, resulting in minimal "stretch" in that direction, whereas tension generally perpendicular to the at-rest longitudinal axes of the openings tends to cause each opening to distort significantly, initially widening to become less oblong and then if sufficient tension is applied, becoming oblong Page 10 of 18 generally perpendicular to its normal oblong orientation and ultimately narrowing and closing with a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the opening's at-rest longitudinal axis, resulting in significant "stretch" in that direction. Thus, the mesh fabric has a well-defined high-stretch direction and a well-defined low-stretch direction generally perpendicular to the high-stretch direction. It has been found that mesh fabrics having oblong openings with a maximum dimension (i.e. the dimension along the longitudinal axis) of up to 2 mm are suitable for the body 28.
It is understood that larger openings may be suitable but these have not been tried.

[0038] The mesh fabric is oriented in the body 28 such that the low-stretch direction is generally parallel to the straight edges 30. This general orientation has been found to be preferable as it permits the infant carrier to stretch generally perpendicular to the straight edges 30 so as to form a curved space suitable for accommodating an infant, while resisting stretch around the circumference of the infant carrier 20 (i.e. generally parallel to the straight edges 30) as such stretch would reduce the effectiveness of adjustments to the infant carrier 20 made with the adjustment panel 34. Preferably, the fabric panel 42 and stuff sack 52 are made from the same material as the body 28, and have their high-stretch and low-stretch directions oriented in alignment with the high-stretch and low-stretch directions of the body 28 so that the fabric panel 42 and stuff sack 52 generally conform to the "stretch" characteristics of the body 28. As the stuff sack 52 is considerably smaller than the fabric panel 42, alignment of the stretch directions of the stuff sack 52 with those of the body 28 has less of an effect on the overall "stretch"
characteristics of the infant carrier 20 than such alignment with respect to the fabric panel 42.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 through 4, the infant carrier 20 is preferably worn with the curved portion created by the joining of the curved edges 32 located in the vicinity of a shoulder of the user 23. As is shown in the drawings, in use, the infant carrier 20 spans the user's shoulder, extending from the vicinity of the user's neck to the user's upper arm. This spanning of the user's shoulder distributes the Page 11 of 18 weight of the infant carrier 20 and infant 22, 24 so as to reduce the likelihood of an uncomfortable localization of pressure in the shoulder region. Locating the curved portion created by the joining of the curved edges 32, in the vicinity of the user's shoulder is preferable because the curved portion conforms generally to the user's shoulder.

[0040] The adjustment panel 34 is located on the body 28 such that the eyes 46 are adjacent the curved portion created by the joining of the curved edges 32, so that when the infant carrier 20 is worn in the preferred orientation set out above, the adjustment panel 34 is in the vicinity of the back of the user's shoulder and the adjustment cords 40 and cord locks 48 are readily accessible.

[0041] As indicated in Figures 1 and 2, a smaller infant 22, such as a newborn, is typically carried in a reclining position at the front of the user's upper body. Preparatory to carrying a smaller infant 22, the overall size of the infant carrier 20 is reduced using the adjustment panel 34, i.e. portions of the adjustment cords 40 are drawn from the cord channels 44 and secured with the cord locks when the desired general size is achieved.

[0042] As indicated in Figures 3 and 4, a larger infant 24 (such as a toddler) is typically carried in an essentially vertical or sitting position adjacent to, or straddling, the user's hip. Preparatory to carrying a larger infant 24, the overall size of the infant carrier 20 is increased using the adjustment panel 34, i.e. the cord locks 48 are moved distally along the adjustment cords 40 until the desired general size is achieved.

[0043] Once the infant carrier 20 is on and the infant 22, 24 is in place, further adjustments (typically minor) to increase the comfort of the infant 22, 24 and the user 23 may be made by moving the cord locks 48 proximally or distally along the adjustment cords 40 as required. In most cases, such minor adjustment may be Page 12 of 18 made with the infant 22, 24 in place. However, with a heavy larger infant 24, moving a cord lock 48 proximally with the larger infant 24 in the infant carrier 20 may be difficult, and such adjustment may require that the larger infant 24 be removed from the infant carrier 20. Typically, moving a cord lock 48 distally can be readily accomplished with a larger infant 24 in the infant carrier 20, no matter the weight of the larger infant 24. Thus, fine adjustments can be accomplished with a heavy larger infant 24 in the infant carrier 20 so long as preparatory to the larger infant 24 being placed in the infant carrier 20, the infant carrier 20 is adjusted to be smaller than ultimately required to accommodate the heavy larger infant 24, such that adjustments with the heavy larger infant 24 in the infant carrier 20 only require distal movement of the cord locks 48.

[0044] The infant carrier 20 described herein is preferably a component of an infant carrier system that includes a selection of covers 60, suitable for protecting an infant from a variety of conditions, including rain, excessive sunlight and cold.
An exemplary cover 60 is shown in Figures 10 and 11, and a cover pattern 61 is shown in Figure 12.

[0045] As indicated in Figures 11 and 12, a cover 60 is preferably made from a "bell-shaped" pattern having a rectilinear edge 62 and a convex edge 64, the two edges 62, 64 meeting at each end at a shoulder tab 66. A cover 60 is assembled, by attaching the shoulder tabs 66 together to form a loop of fabric, wherein the shoulder tabs 66 form a shoulder strap 68 suitable for resting on the shoulder of a user 23. Similar to the straight edges 30 of the infant carrier, the rectilinear edge 62 is elasticized and, unless the fabric from which the cover is made is itself appropriate, finished with a cover casing 70 made from a material suitable for contact with the delicate skin of an infant; a satiny material, as is conventional for casings for baby blankets, is preferable, so long as it is robust enough to case the elastics without undue wear. As indicated in Figure 11, the convex edge 64 is also partially elasticized, with the elastic contained within a hem 72. A casing is Page 13 of 18 generally not required on the convex edge 64 as in use the convex edge 64 is below an infant 22, 24 in the infant carrier and is unlikely to contact uncovered skin of the infant 22, 24.

[0046] As indicated in Figure 11, a cover 60 preferably includes an integral stuff sack 52.

[0047] A variety of covers 60 may be made in the same general pattern. For example: a rain cover made from a water-resistant fabric; a sun cover made from a fabric (preferably breathable) configured to impede the passage of sunlight;
and a cold cover made from an insulating fabric (such as fleece). Each such cover may be used with an infant carrier 20 alone or in combination with other covers 60.
For example, if it is both cold and rainy, it may be desirable to use a cold cover beneath a rain cover. Further, covers 60 may be made from layers of material, for example, such that a single cover 60 has both an insulating fabric and water-resistant fabric.

[0048] As shown in Figure 10, in use a cover 60 is typically used by placing the shoulder strap over the same shoulder as is supporting the infant carrier 20, then adjusting the cover 60 such that the elasticized convex edge 64 is secure under the infant 22, 24 and then positioning the rectilinear edge 62 as required (e.g.
so as to completely cover the infant 22, 24 should conditions demand and the size of the infant 22, 24 permits, or to leave the infant 22, 24 partially uncovered, as shown in Figure 10).

Page 14 of 18

Claims (12)

1. A sling-type infant carrier suitable for carrying an infant in a reclining position at the front of the user's upper body or in an essentially vertical or sitting position adjacent to, or straddling, the user's hip, the infant carrier comprising:
a) a flexible tube body, having an upper tube end and a lower tube end, and having an inner and outer wall attached one to the other in the vicinity of the lower tube end so as to define a longitudinally extending pouch suitable for receiving an infant;
b) two or more adjustment means for independently adjusting the diameter of the tube body at two or more adjustment locations spaced apart one from the other generally laterally with respect to the upper and lower ends;
wherein, in use, a portion of the tube body generally spans a shoulder of the user, and the overall size of the infant carrier, support offered to an infant in the pouch and distribution of the load on the user's shoulder, may be adjusted by selectively adjusting the adjustment means.

2. The infant carrier of claim 1, wherein the tube body comprises a single-layered tubular article, that in use is folded within itself such that the inner wall is an inner portion of the folded article and the outer wall is an outer portion of the folded article.

3. The infant carrier of claim 1 or 2, comprising four adjustment means.

4. The infant carrier of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each adjustment means comprises:
a) a line;
b) an outer wall attachment location at which a proximal portion of the line is secured to the outer wall;
c) an outer wall drawing location spaced apart from the attachment location in a direction generally parallel to the tube ends and having a drawing opening, encircling a portion of the line distal from the attachment location;
d) an adjustable stop on the line distal from the drawing opening, the stop configured to be releasably securable to the line so as to impede movement of the stop distally along the line;
e) the drawing opening configured to permit passage of the line and impede passage of the stop;
wherein the diameter of the tube body at the adjustment location of the adjustment means may be: reduced by drawing the line through the drawing opening so as to draw the attachment location and drawing location towards each other and, once a desired reduced diameter is achieved, securing the stop to the line in the vicinity of the draw opening; and increased by releasing the stop and moving it distally along the line so as to permit the attachment location and drawing location to move apart one from the other.

5. The infant carrier of claim 4, wherein each adjustment means further comprises a fabric channel between the outer wall attachment location and the outer wall drawing location, within which the portion of the line running from the outer wall attachment location and the outer wall drawing location is disposed, wherein the drawing opening is an eye formed in the fabric comprising the channel.

6. The infant carrier of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tube body comprises a tube fabric having asymmetrical distortion characteristics in that the fabric has a high-stretch direction and a low-stretch direction generally perpendicular to the high-stretch direction, wherein the tube fabric is configured to readily elongate in the high-stretch direction and to less readily elongate in the low-stretch direction, and wherein, in the tube body, the tube fabric is oriented such that the low-stretch direction is generally parallel with the upper tube end.

7. The infant carrier of claim 6, wherein the tube fabric is a mesh having oblong openings, wherein the longitudinal axes of the oblong openings are generally parallel to the low-stretch direction.

8. The infant carrier of claim 7, wherein the longitudinal dimension of each oblong opening is about 2 mm.

9. The infant carrier of claim 7 or 8, wherein the tube fabric is a polyester fabric.

10. The infant carrier of any one of claims 1 through 9, wherein the inner and outer walls are elasticized in the vicinity of the upper tube end.

11. An infant carrier system suitable for carrying an infant in a variety of weather conditions, the system comprising:
a) a sling-type infant carrier having a longitudinally extending pouch suitable for receiving an infant in a reclining position at the front of the user's upper body or in an essentially vertical or sitting position adjacent to, or straddling, the user's hip, and substantially made from an open mesh fabric;
b) a rain cover comprising a loop of water-resistant fabric having elasticized edges and configured to pass over one shoulder of a user and under the other arm for use in covering an infant in the infant carrier;
c) a sun cover comprising a loop of breathable fabric configured to impede the passage of sunlight, having elasticized edges and configured to pass over one shoulder of a user and under the other arm for use in covering an infant in the infant carrier; and d) a cold cover comprising a loop of insulative fabric having elasticized edges and configured to pass over one shoulder of a user and under the other arm for use in covering an infant in the infant carrier;
wherein the user may, when carrying an infant in the infant carrier, use the infant carrier alone or in combination with one or more of the covers.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each cover includes an integral stuff sack.