An automated sorting machine, comprising: at least one longitudinal rail; a plurality of transverse slats configured to travel longitudinally along the rail; at least one shoe slidingly retained on at least one of the slats; at least one diverter rail; and at least one diverter disposed along the longitudinal rail, the diverter comprising: a diverter block; an actuator coupled to the diverter block; an actuator arm coupled to the actuator, the actuator arm being operable between a first position and a second position; a diverter flipper pivotally coupled to the diverter block, the diverter flipper having a slot and being operable between a non-divert position corresponding to the first position of the actuator arm and a divert position corresponding to the second position of the actuator arm; and a pin (113, 401) coupled to the actuator arm and being disposed within the slot of the diverter flipper, such that rotation of the actuator arm between the first position and the second position pivots the diverter flipper between the non-divert position and the divert position; characterized in that the first position and the second position of the actuator arm are separated by approximately 90 degrees, thereby creating a mechanical lock that holds the diverter flipper in either the non-diverted position or the diverted position. at least one longitudinal rail; a plurality of transverse slats configured to travel longitudinally along the rail; at least one shoe slidingly retained on at least one of the slats; at least one diverter rail; and at least one diverter disposed along the longitudinal rail, the diverter comprising: a diverter block; an actuator coupled to the diverter block; an actuator arm coupled to the actuator, the actuator arm being operable between a first position and a second position; a diverter flipper pivotally coupled to the diverter block, the diverter flipper having a slot and being operable between a non-divert position corresponding to the first position of the actuator arm and a divert position corresponding to the second position of the actuator arm; and a pin (113, 401) coupled to the actuator arm and being disposed within the slot of the diverter flipper, such that rotation of the actuator arm between the first position and the second position pivots the diverter flipper between the non-divert position and the divert position; a diverter block; an actuator coupled to the diverter block; an actuator arm coupled to the actuator, the actuator arm being operable between a first position and a second position; a diverter flipper pivotally coupled to the diverter block, the diverter flipper having a slot and being operable between a non-divert position corresponding to the first position of the actuator arm and a divert position corresponding to the second position of the actuator arm; and a pin (113, 401) coupled to the actuator arm and being disposed within the slot of the diverter flipper, such that rotation of the actuator arm between the first position and the second position pivots the diverter flipper between the non-divert position and the divert position; characterized in that the first position and the second position of the actuator arm are separated by approximately 90 degrees, thereby creating a mechanical lock that holds the diverter flipper in either the non-diverted position or the diverted position.