US Patent 7143924 Surgical stapling apparatus with locking mechanism

The present disclosure provides for a loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus. The loading unit includes a housing portion having a distal end and a proximal end, a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit, and a locking member supported on the housing portion of the loading unit. The locking member is movable from a first position wherein the locking member engages the drive assembly and maintains the drive assembly in a ready-to-load position to a second position wherein the locking member permits movement of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion.