US Patent 10314589 Surgical instrument including a shifting assembly

A surgical instrument comprising a rotary motion generator, a shifting assembly, a rotatable shaft, an end effector, and a firing member is disclosed. The shifting assembly comprises a first output, a second output, a switch, and a biasing mechanism. The first output and the second output are selectively drivable by the rotary motion generator. The switch is configured to switch between the selective drivability of the first and second outputs. The biasing mechanism is configured to motivate and maintain an operative meshment between the rotary motion generator and one of the first output and the second output. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is moveable relative to the second jaw during a closing motion. The firing member is moveable relative to the end effector during a firing motion. The closing motion is separate and distinct from the firing motion.