RETRACTABLE DIVERTER NOSE

A diverter assembly for a positive displacement sorter apparatus having a plurality of interconnected slats that define a conveying surface adapted to convey articles in a longitudinal direction and having a plurality of pusher shoes adapted to move along at least one of the plurality of slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. The diverter assembly includes a diverting track extendin g diagonally under the conveying surface and an actuator is provided for selectively diverting at least one of the pusher shoes toward the diverting track. A diverter nose is adapted to guide the pusher shoe to the diverting track when diverted by the actuator or to guide the pusher shoe away from said diverting track when not diverted by said actuator. At least a portion of said diverter nose is adapt ed to move laterally and longitudinally when struck generally head-on by a portion of a pusher shoe.