US Patent 10368867 Surgical instrument comprising a lockout

A surgical stapling system comprising a lockout is disclosed. The lockout is configured to prevent the stapling system from performing a stapling firing function if an unspent staple cartridge is not fully seated in the stapling system. In various instances, the lockout is configured to permit the stapling system to perform a jaw clamping function even though an unspent staple cartridge is not fully seated in the stapling system.