Jaw Restraint

Abstract

A jaw restraint is provided to temporarily secure an anvil assembly relative to a cartridge assembly during shipping. The jaw restraint generally includes a body portion having an upper arm for releasably securing the anvil assembly and a lower arm for releasably securing the cartridge assembly. An inwardly projection is provided between the upper and lower arms. The anvil assembly is secured between the upper arm and the inwardly directed projection and the cartridge assembly is secured between the lower arm of the inwardly directed projection. One or more finger members extending proximally from the body portion may be provided to facilitate biasing the upper arm away from the lower arm to release the anvil and cartridge assemblies from the jaw restraint. The jaw restraint may be provided with structure for engagement with shipping packaging.

1 . A jaw restraint for securing a first jaw of a tool assembly relative to a second jaw of the tool assembly comprising:
 a first arm for supporting a first jaw of a tool assembly;   a second arm for supporting a second jaw of the tool assembly;   a projection directed inwardly between the first and second arms;   a first portion connecting the first arm to the projection; and   a second portion connecting the second arm to the projection.   
     
     
         2 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are arcuate and face in a first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the projection is arcuate and faces in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a finger member extending from the first portion. 
     
     
         5 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the finger member extends in a direction opposite that of the first arm. 
     
     
         6 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first arm includes an inwardly directed lip. 
     
     
         7 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the inwardly directed lip includes an enlarged distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the projection is formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         9 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the projection is formed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         10 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a first finger member extending from the first portion and a second finger member extending from the second portion. 
     
     
         11 . A jaw restraint for securing a first jaw of a tool assembly relative to a second jaw of the tool assembly comprising:
 a body portion having;   a first arm for supporting a first jaw of a tool assembly;   a second arm for supporting a second jaw of the tool assembly;   a projection directed inwardly between the first and second arms;   a first portion connecting the first arm to the projection; and   a second portion connecting the second arm to the projection.   
     
     
         12 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a finger member extending from the body portion. 
     
     
         13 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising two finger members extending independently from the body portion. 
     
     
         14 . A jaw restraint for use in a package comprising:
 a body portion having;   a first arm for supporting a first jaw of a tool assembly;   a second arm for supporting a second jaw of the tool assembly;   a projection directed inwardly between the first and second arms;   a first portion connecting the first atm to the projection;   a second portion connecting the second arm to the projection; and   a finger member extending proximally from the body portion and having a cut out for engagement with a package.   
     
     
         15 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the cut out is formed in a proximal edge of the finger member. 
     
     
         16 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the cut out is formed in a side edge of the finger member. 
     
     
         17 . The jaw restraint as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the cut out is formed through a generally central area of the finger member. 
     
     
         18 . A shipping package assembly comprising:
 a jaw restraint including;   a body portion having;   a first arm for supporting a first jaw of a tool assembly;   a second arm for supporting a second jaw of the tool assembly;   a projection directed inwardly between the first and second arms;   a first portion connecting the first arm to the projection;   a second portion connecting the second arm to the projection;   a finger member extending proximally from the body portion and having a cut out; and   a package having a projection for engagement with the cut out in the finger member.