Patent Publication Number: US-10781632-B2

Title: Shade bracket and diverter

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     Aspects of the embodiments relate to shades, and more particularly to systems, methods, and modes for a shade bracket and diverter. 
     Background Art 
     Roller shades are effective in screening windows, doors, or the like, to achieve privacy and thermal effects. A roller shade typically includes a rectangular shade material, such as fabric, attached at its top end to a cylindrical rotating tube, called a roller tube, and at an opposite bottom end to a hem bar. The shade material is wrapped around the roller tube. The roller tube is rotated, either manually or via an electric motor, in a first direction to roll down the shade material to cover a window and in a second direction to roll up the shade material to uncover the window. 
     In a typical installation of a roller shade, the shade material drops down tangential from the back of the roller tube, closest to the window. In some configurations, a fascia is mounted over the roller tube to provide a means to hide most of the shade hardware, leaving an opening for the shade material to drop down. In another configuration, the roller shade may be installed in an architectural pocket in the ceiling. As the shade material unrolls off the tube, the diameter of the shade material on the roller gets smaller, causing lateral movement of the shade material toward the room. As such, the drop down position of the shade material is continuously displaced. Likewise, in a reverse roll configuration, where the fabric comes off the front of the roll, closest the room, as the shade material unrolls off the tube, the shade material moves away from the room. A reverse roll is commonly used when the window has hardware that protrudes into the path of the lowering shade fabric. 
     However, in some installations it is not desirable for the shade material to laterally travel as it is unrolled from the tube. For example, where a ceiling pocket layout is narrow, containing a narrow opening into which the shade hem bar is received, the ham bar may potentially hit something and get stuck inside the pocket. Additionally, the shade material may rub against the pocket opening causing fraying or damage to the shade material. In such circumstances, the shade material must be diverted to minimize lateral displacement. For example, the shade material may need to drop down directly under the center of the roller and through a 1.5 in opening in the pocket. 
     Accordingly, a need has arisen for systems, methods, and modes for a shade bracket and diverter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the embodiments to substantially solve at least the problems and/or disadvantages discussed above, and to provide at least one or more of the advantages described below. 
     It is therefore a general aspect of the embodiments to provide systems, methods, and modes for a shade bracket and diverter that will obviate or minimize problems of the type previously described. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Further features and advantages of the aspects of the embodiments, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the aspects of the embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the embodiments, a diverter assembly is provided for a roller shade comprising a shade material. The diverter assembly comprises a pair of mounting brackets and a diverter. The pair of mounting brackets are adapted to secure to a structure and retain the roller shade therebetween. Each mounting bracket comprises a diverter retaining portion. The diverter comprises a diverter roller and a pair of bearings disposed on two opposite ends of the diverter roller. The diverter is removably retained between the pair of mounting brackets such that each bearing is engaged by a respective diverter retaining portion and the diverter roller is adapted to freely rotate via the bearings. The diverter roller is adapted to divert the shade material to a fixed drop down position. 
     According to an embodiment, each mounting bracket comprises a structural mounting portion adapted to secure the mounting bracket to the structure. According to another embodiment, each mounting bracket comprises a shade mounting portion adapted to couple one end of the roller shade to the mounting bracket. The diverter retaining portion may extend along a first plane, while the shade mounting portion may extend along a second plane, which is offset from the first plane such that the diverter retaining portion protrudes farther than the shade mounting portion. The diverter retaining portion may be disposed directly below the shade mounting portion to substantially center the fixed drop down position of the shade material with a center of the roller shade. 
     According to an embodiment, the diverter retaining portion may comprise a vertical side wall as well as a bottom wall and a rear wall laterally extending from the vertical side wall. According to one embodiment, the bottom wall may be disposed at a right angle with respect to the rear wall. According to another embodiment, the bottom wall may be declined towards the rear wall to further assist the diverter to be retained by the diverter retaining portion. According to one embodiment, the bottom wall and the rear wall may be interconnected. According to an alternative embodiment, the bottom wall and the rear wall may be separated forming a pair of retaining arms. 
     According to an embodiment, each bearing may be removably engaged by the respective diverter retaining portion by resting between the respective bottom wall and rear wall of the respective diverter retaining portion. Each bearing may comprise an outer race and an inner race rotatably movable with respect to the outer race, wherein the outer race is engaged between the respective bottom wall and rear wall of the respective diverter retaining portion, and wherein the inner race is operably attached to the diverter roller. According to an embodiment, the diverter may further comprise a pair of bearing hubs attached to the opposite ends of the diverter roller and each adapted to retain one of the bearings. Each bearing hub may comprise a plug sized to be press fitted in a bore longitudinally extending within the diverter roller. Each bearing hub may further comprise a shoulder adapted to receive one of the bearings thereon. Each bearing hub may also comprise a threaded bore adapted to receive a screw therein, wherein the bearing is retained on the shoulder via a head of the screw. 
     According to an embodiment, each diverter retaining portion may comprise an opening extending therethrough sized to receive the screw head to align the diverter with the diverter retaining portion. According to another embodiment, the diverter may further comprise a pair of biased pins extending from the two opposite ends of the diverter roller, wherein each diverter retaining portion comprises an opening extending therethrough sized to receive the biased pins to align the diverter with the diverter retaining portion. 
     According to an embodiment, as the shade material is raised or lowered, the shade material rotates the diverter roller with respect to the diverter retaining portion via the bearings such that the diverter roller rolls on the shade material. 
     According to another aspect of the embodiments, a diverter assembly is provided for a roller shade secured to a structure and comprising a shade material. The diverter assembly comprises a pair of mounting brackets adapted to secure to a structure and a diverter. Each mounting bracket comprises a vertical side wall as well as a bottom wall and a rear wall laterally extending from the vertical side wall. The diverter comprises a diverter roller and a pair of bearings disposed on two opposite ends of the diverter roller. The diverter is removably retained between the pair of mounting brackets such that each bearing is engaged between the bottom wall and the rear wall of a respective diverter retaining portion. The diverter roller is adapted to divert the shade material to a fixed drop down position, wherein as the shade material is raised or lowered the diverter roller rolls on the shade material via the bearings. 
     According to a further aspect of the embodiments, a method is provided for diverting a shade material of a roller shade to a fixed drop down position. The method comprises the steps of: securing a pair of mounting brackets to a surface of a structure; installing the roller shade between the pair of mounting brackets, wherein each mounting bracket comprises a vertical side wall as well as a bottom and a rear wall laterally extending from the vertical side wall; inserting a diverter between the mounting brackets, wherein the diverter comprises a diverter roller and a pair of bearings disposed on two opposite ends of the diverter roller; resting each bearing of the diverter between the bottom wall and the rear wall of a respective mounting bracket; and resting the shade material on the diverter roller, wherein as the shade material is raised or lowered the diverter roller rolls on the shade material via the bearings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects and features of the embodiments will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the following figures. Different aspects of the embodiments are illustrated in reference figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered to be illustrative rather than limiting. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the aspects of the embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a roller shade according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of the roller shade according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective rear-inner side view of a right side mounting bracket according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates an inner side view of the right side mounting bracket according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 3C  illustrates a rear view of the right side mounting bracket according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of a diverter according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross sectional view of the diverter according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates an outer side view of the diverter being inserted into the mounting bracket of the roller shade according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrated an outer side view of the diverter retained in the mounting bracket of the roller shade according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates an inner side view of the right side mounting bracket with cross sectional views of the roller shade and diverter according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a partial rear view of the right side mounting bracket, roller shade, and diverter according to one aspect of the embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. The scope of the embodiments is therefore defined by the appended claims. The detailed description that follows is written from the point of view of a control systems company, so it is to be understood that generally the concepts discussed herein are applicable to various subsystems and not limited to only a particular controlled device or class of devices. 
     Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the embodiments. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular feature, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS FOR THE ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWINGS IN NUMERICAL ORDER 
     The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings in numerical order.
           100  Roller Shade     101  Roller Tube     102  Hem Bar     103  Central Axis of Rotation     104  Shade Material     105  Mounting Brackets     110  Diverter     111  Idler Pin     115  Drop Down position     301  Structural Mounting Portion     302  Shade Mounting Portion     303  Diverter Retaining Portion     304  First Side Wall     305  Mounting Holes     306  Second Side Wall     308  Keyhole     309  Third Side Wall     311  First Plane     312  Second Plane     313  Third Plane     314  Fourth Plane     316  Bottom Wall     317  Rear Wall     318  Opening     401  Diverter Roller     402  Bore     404  First End     405  Second End     406  Bearing Hub     408  Plug     411  Teeth     412  Flange     415  Shoulder     416  Threaded Bore     420  Bearings     421  Screw     422  Screw Head     424  Outer Race     425  Inner Race     426  Balls     501  Alignment Marking       

     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     For 40 years Crestron Electronics, Inc. has been the world&#39;s leading manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems, innovating technology to simplify and enhance modern lifestyles and businesses. Crestron designs, manufactures, and offers for sale integrated solutions to control audio, video, computer, and environmental systems. In addition, the devices and systems offered by Crestron streamlines technology, improving the quality of life in commercial buildings, universities, hotels, hospitals, and homes, among other locations. Accordingly, the systems, methods, and modes of the aspects of the embodiments described herein can be manufactured by Crestron Electronics, Inc., located in Rockleigh, N.J. 
     The different aspects of the embodiments described herein pertain to the context of roller shades, but is not limited thereto, except as may be set forth expressly in the appended claims. While the roller shade is described herein for covering a window, the roller shade may be used to cover doors, wall openings, or other openings of a structure. The embodiments described herein may further be adapted in other types of window or door shades, such as inverted rollers, Roman shades, Austrian shades, pleated shades, blinds, shutters, skylight shades, garage doors, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , where  FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a roller shade  100  and  FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of the roller shade  100 , according to one embodiment. Roller shade  100  generally comprise a roller tube  101 , shade material  104 , and a hem bar  102 . Shade material  104  is connected at its top end to the roller tube  101  and at its bottom end to the hem bar  102 . The roller tube  101  may be generally cylindrical in shape extending about a central axis of rotation  103 . The shade material  104  wraps around the roller tube  101  and is unraveled from the roller tube  101  to cover a window, a door, a wall opening, or other structural openings. In various embodiments, the shade material  104  comprises fabric, plastic, vinyl, or other materials known to those skilled in the art. 
     According to various embodiments, the shade  100  may comprise a shade drive unit adapted raise or lower the shade material  104  to open or close the structural opening, such as a window frame. The shade drive unit may be received within the roller tube  101  and may be adapted to rotate the roller tube  101  to raise or lower the shade material  104 . According to one embodiment, the shade drive unit may comprise a mechanical drive assembly for manual or semi-manual operation of the shade  100 , for example, allowing adjusting of the shade  100  by pulling or tugging on the hem bar  102  or by pulling on a chain. According to another embodiment, the shade drive unit may comprise a motor for motorized operation of the shade. 
     In a motorized implementation of the roller shade  100 , the shade drive unit may include a motor control module, a motor, and a drive wheel that fit within the roller tube  101 . The motor control module may comprise fully integrated electronics to control the motor, directing the operation of the motor, including its direction, speed, and position. The drive wheel may be connected to the output shaft of the motor to rotate the roller tube  101 . In operation, the roller shade  100  is rolled down and rolled up via the roller shade drive unit. As a result, the shade material  104  may be lowered from an opened or rolled up position, when substantially the entire shade material  104  is wrapped about the roller tube  101 , to a closed or rolled down position, when the shade material  104  is substantially unraveled. 
     The hem bar  102  is secured to a bottom end of the shade material  104  such that it runs longitudinally and laterally across the width of the shade material  104 . The hem bar  102  may comprise a heavy material, such as steel or aluminum material, or may be weighted, to minimize any movement in the field and allow for a straight hang of the shade material  104 . Accordingly, when the shade  100  is in a closed position the weighted hem bar  102  pulls down on the shade material  104  such that it hangs straight, without causing the shade material  104  to buckle or ripple. The hem bar  102  can comprise a solid or a hollow construction with a circular, oval, or other shaped cross section. 
     The roller shade  100  may be mounted between a pair of mounting brackets  105 . Each mounting bracket  105  may be recess-mounted within a window frame via screws. In various embodiments, the roller shade  100  may be surface-mounted on a wall (e.g., in front of the frame enclosing a window), or recess-mounted in a ceiling pocket, a door frame, another type of opening, or the like. 
     According to the present embodiments, the brackets  105  are adapted to retain a diverter  110  that allows the shade material  104  to drop at the same fixed drop down position  115  during the entire travel of the shade material  104 . Accordingly, the shade material  104  is prevented from translating laterally. According to one embodiment, the shade material  104  may drop down from substantially directly below the central axis  103  of the roller tube  101 . However, the shade material may be diverted to other fixed drop down positions. Beneficially, the design of the diverter  110  of the present embodiments allows it to be easily installed into the mounting brackets  105  without any tools, after the roller shade  100  is installed into brackets  105 . This simplifies the installation process and ensures minimal handling of the shade material  104 , reducing risk of damage. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , where  FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of a right side mounting bracket  105 ,  FIG. 3B  shows an inner side view of the right side mounting bracket  105 , and  FIG. 3C  shows a rear view of the right side mounting bracket  105 , wherein the left side mounting bracket is substantially a mirror image thereof. According to an embodiment, each mounting bracket  105  may comprise a single stamped metal body. According to alternative embodiment, each mounting bracket  105  may comprise a plurality of separated or interconnected portions. The mounting bracket  105  may comprise a structural mounting portion  301  comprising a first side wall  304  disposed along a first plane  311 . The first side wall  304  may comprise mounting holes  305  extending therethrough adapted to receive screws to attach the first side wall  304  against a structural surface, such as a window frame or a wall. 
     Each mounting bracket  105  may further comprise a shade mounting portion  302  adapted to couple one end of the roller shade  100  to the mounting bracket  105 . Shade mounting portion  302  may comprise a second side wall  306  disposed along a second plane  312 . The second plane  312  may be offset from the first plane  311  such that the structural mounting portion  301  protrudes farther than the shade mounting portion  302 . According to an embodiment, shade mounting portion  302  may comprise a keyhole  308  for receiving an idler pin  111  extending out of an end of the roller shade  100 , about which the roller tube  101  rotates. The left side mounting bracket may comprise a similar configuration for attaching to the other end of the roller shade  100 . According to another embodiment, in an embodiment, in a motorized roller shade, the other end of the roller shade  100  may comprise a drive unit with an end that snaps to the left side mounting bracket or which couples to the left side mounting bracket using screws. 
     Each mounting bracket  105  may further comprise a diverter retaining portion  303  disposed adjacent to the shade mounting portion  302  and adapted to retain one end of the diverter  110 . According to one embodiment, the diverter retaining portion  303  may be disposed directly below the shade mounting portion  302  to substantially center the fixed drop down position  115  of the shade material  104  with the central axis  103  of the roller tube  101 . According to another embodiment, the diverter rotating portion  303  may be disposed in a different position or orientation with respect to the roller tube  101  to divert the shade material  104  to a different fixed drop down position and eliminate any lateral displacement during travel. 
     The diverter retaining portion  303  may comprise a third side wall  309 , which may be disposed along the first plane  311 , or another plane, offset from the second plane  312 . As such, the diverter retaining portion  303  protrudes farther than the shade mounting portion  302 . The diverter retaining portion  303  may comprise a bottom wall  316  extending laterally from a bottom edge of the third side wall  309  along a third plane  313 , substantially orthogonal to the first plane  311 . The diverter retaining portion  303  may further comprise a rear wall  317  extending laterally from a side edge of the third side wall  309  along a fourth plane  314 , substantially orthogonal to the first plane  311 . According to an embodiment, the third plane  313  of the bottom wall  316  may be substantially orthogonal to the fourth plane  314  of the rear wall  317 , such that the bottom wall  316  and the rear wall  317  are disposed at a right angle with respect to each other. According to another embodiment, the third plane  313  of the bottom wall  316  may be disposed at slightly less than a right angle with respect to the fourth plane  314  such that the bottom wall  316  is declined towards the rear wall  317 . The bottom wall  316  and rear wall  317  may be interconnected, or they may be separated forming a pair of retaining arms, as shown in  FIG. 3A , for engaging an end of the diverter  110 . 
     The diverter retaining portion  303  may further comprise an opening  318  extending through the third side wall  309 . Opening  318  may comprise an oblong shape formed by a pair of oppositely disposed semicircular sides interconnected by a pair of parallel sides. The oblong opening  318  may be partially disposed between the bottom wall  316  and the rear wall  317 . The oblong opening  318  may be oriented in a direction parallel to the third plane  313  such that the length of the oblong opening  318  is parallel with the bottom wall  316 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4B ,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a perspective view of the diverter  110  and  FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross sectional view of the diverter  110 , according to an illustrative embodiment. The diverter  110  may comprise a diverter roller  401 . The diverter roller  401  may be tubular in shape with about 1.625 inches outer diameter extending longitudinally from a first end  404  to a second end  405 . The diverter roller  401  may be hollow comprising a bore  402  extending therethrough from the first end  404  to the second end  405 . According to an embodiment, the diverter roller  401  may be formed from an aluminum tube extrusion, sized to minimize deflection. 
     According to an embodiment, the diverter  110  may further comprise a pair of bearing hubs  406 , which may be formed from a molded plastic material. Each bearing hub  406  may comprise a tubular plug  408  sized to be received within the bore  402  of the diverter roller  401  through a first end  404  or the second end  405 . Each plug  408  may comprise a plurality of teeth  411  extending circumferentially about the external surface of the plug  408 . Teeth  411  are used to form a friction fit between the external surfaces of the plugs  408  and the inner surface of the bore  402  in the diverter roller  401 . During assembly, the bearing hubs  406  may be press fitted within the bore  402 . Each bearing hub  406  may further comprise a flange  412  radially extending therefrom. Flange  412  prevents the bearing hub  406  from sliding entirely into the diverter roller  401 . Each bearing hub  406  may further comprise a shoulder  415  configured for receiving a bearing  420  thereon. In addition, each bearing hub  405  may comprise a threaded bore  416  longitudinally extending through its center. 
     The diverter  110  may further comprise a pair of bearings  420 , each adapted to be received over the shoulder  415  of the bearing hub  406 . According to an embodiment, each bearing  420  may comprise an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the diverter roller  401 . Each bearing  420  may generally comprise an outer race  424 , an inner race  425 , and a plurality of balls  426  disposed therebetween, as is well known in the art. Although other types of begins may be used, including ball bearings, roller bearings, magnetic bearing, or the like. The bearings  420  may be oil lubricated to reduce rolling resistance and shielded to provide protection from contamination. In various embodiments, the bearings  420  may each comprise aluminum or stainless steel. According to an embodiment, each bearing  420  may be retained on the bearing hub  406  via a screw  421  that is received in the threaded bore  416 . Each screw  421  may comprise a screw head  422  adapted to retain the inner race  425  of the bearing  420  between the screw head  422  and the shoulder  415  in the bearing hub  406 . The screw head  422  may slightly protrude from the diverter  110 . 
     In other embodiments, the shoulder  415  of the bearing hub  406  may comprise a width adapted to receive a width of the inner race  425  of the bearing  420  and may comprise retaining clips circumferentially disposed at the end of the shoulder  415  such that the bearing  420  may snap into the shoulder  415  and retained via the retaining clips. According to further embodiments, the diverter  110  may not comprise the bearing hub  406 , and instead, the diverter roller  401  may be configured to retain the pair of bearings  420 . For example, the diverter roller  401  may comprise a molded plastic body with ends containing shoulders adapted to retain the bearings  420  thereon. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5B , there is shows a method of installing the diverter  110  in the mounting bracket  105  to divert the shade material according to an illustrative embodiment. After a customer places an order, choosing a roller shade  100  and providing installation dimensions, the diverter roller  401  may be cut to size and the diverter  110  may be assembled at the same time as the roller shade  100  and shipped together with the roller shade  100 . During installation, initially, the structural mounting portion  301  of the mounting bracket  105  may be secured to a structural surface using screws. According to an embodiment, the mounting bracket  105  may comprise an alignment marking  501  indicating the shade material drop down position  115 . The alignment marking  501  may, for example, assist the installer to align the shade material drop down position  115  with an opening in the ceiling out of the architectural pocket to ease installation. 
     Then, the roller shade  100  may be secured to the shade mounting portion  302  of the mounting bracket  105 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the shade material  104  may be slightly unraveled from the roller tube  101  and lifted via the hem bar  102  to expose the diverter retaining portions  303  of the mounting brackets  105 . The diverter  110  may then be inserted between the mounting brackets  105  toward the diverter retaining portions  303  in direction D 1  and aligned such that each screw head  422  at the end of the diverter  110  is retained within a respective opening  318  in a respective diverter retaining portion  303 . The oblong shape of the openings  318  provide a relief to allow diverter  110  to be slightly tilted to align the screw heads  422  with the openings  318 . The diverter  110  can then be further inserted into the diverter retaining portions  303  direction D 1  until each bearing  420  rests between a respective bottom wall  316  and rear wall  317  of the respective diverter retaining portion  303 . The shade material  104  may then be released to rest on the diverter roller  401  as shown in  FIG. 5B . Beneficially, the installation of the diverter  110  is quick and simple and does not require any tools. 
     As an alternative embodiment to screws  421 , the ends of the diverter  110  may comprise pins biased in an outward direction using springs. The openings  318  may comprise a circular shape sized to receive the pins. During installation, the pins may be deflected to allow the diverter  110  to be inserted between the mounting brackets  105 . The pins of the diverter  110  may then be aligned with the openings  318  allowing the pins to extend into the openings  318  via the force exerted by the springs. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , where  FIG. 6A  shows an inner side view of the right side mounting bracket  105  with cross sectional views of the roller shade  100  and diverter  110 , and  FIG. 6B  illustrates a partial rear view of the right side mounting bracket  105 , roller shade  100 , and diverter  110 . The outer race  424  of the bearings  420  rests on the bottom wall  316  as well as the rear wall  317  of the diverter retaining portion  303 . The decline of the bottom wall  316  forces the diverter  110  to abut and rest against the rear wall  317  via gravity, further assisting the diverter  110  to be retained by the diverter retaining portion  303 . However, as stated above, the bottom wall  316  may be at a right angle with the rear wall  317 . In such configuration, the lateral force of the shade material  104  in combination with the weight of the hem bar  102  exerted on the diverter roller  401  retains the diverter  110  between the bottom wall  316  and the rear wall  317  of the diverter retaining portion  303 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , the diverter  110  comprises a length larger than the roller tube  100  of the roller shade  100  such that the bearings  420  protrude farther than the roller tube  101 . As such, as the bearings  420  rest on the diverter retaining portions  303  of the mounting brackets  105 , the shade material  104  rests on the diverter roller  401 . In addition, each bearing  420  comprises an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the diverter roller  401  such that the diverter roller  401  does not come into contact with the bottom wall  316  or rear wall  317  of the diverter retaining portion  303 . The diverter roller  401  may thereby freely rotate about its axis via the bearings  420 . 
     As the shade material  104  is raised and lowered, the upward or downward displacement of the shade material  104  will rotate the diverter roller  401  with respect to the diverter retaining portion  303  via the bearings  420 . Beneficially, the bearings  420  ensure that the diverter roller  401  will roll on the shade material  104 , instead of sliding on the shade material  104 , which may cause damage to the shade material  104 . In addition, the bearings  420  attached to the ends of the diverter roller  401  ensure that there is next to no friction and no additional torque required from the roller drive unit of the roller shade  100  to raise or lower the shade  100 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The disclosed embodiments provide systems, methods, and modes for a shade bracket and diverter. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed embodiments. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. 
     Although the features and elements of aspects of the embodiments are described being in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone, without the other features and elements of the embodiments, or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein. 
     This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims. 
     The above-described embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the embodiments. Thus the embodiments are capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. 
     Additionally, the various methods described above are not meant to limit the aspects of the embodiments, or to suggest that the aspects of the embodiments should be implemented following the described methods. The purpose of the described methods is to facilitate the understanding of one or more aspects of the embodiments and to provide the reader with one or many possible implementations of the processed discussed herein. The steps performed during the described methods are not intended to completely describe the entire process but only to illustrate some of the aspects discussed above. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the steps may be performed in a different order and that some steps may be eliminated or substituted. 
     All United States patents and applications, foreign patents, and publications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS 
     Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the different aspects of the embodiments.