Patent ID: 7798386

Claim:
A surgical instrument, comprising: a shaft; an end effector including an anvil movable between an open position and a closed position; a closure mechanism configured to transmit a closing force to said anvil, said closure mechanism comprising: a pivot; a first portion operably engaged with said anvil; and a second portion rotatably connected to said first portion about said pivot; a joint, wherein said end effector is configured to be moved relative to said shaft about said joint, and wherein said first portion and said second portion of said closure mechanism are configured to slide relative to said joint; and a flexible cover configured to at least partially surround said joint, wherein a first portion of said flexible cover is engaged with said first portion of said closure mechanism, wherein a second portion of said flexible cover is engaged with said second portion of said closure mechanism, and wherein said flexible cover is configured to move relative to said joint with said first portion and said second portion of said closure mechanism.