Patent ID: 7536838

Claim:
A clipper, comprising: a clipper with a clipper body having a stationary mounting member that projects outwardly laterally away from the clipper body; and a translating gate assembly adapted to cooperate with the clipper, comprising: a first gate member configured to automatically translate between open and closed configurations; a second gate member configured to automatically translate between open and closed configurations, wherein when the first and second gate members are in the respective closed configurations, the first and second gate members meet to define a clip entry gate for clips delivered from the clipper; and a stiffener assembly attached to the first gate member, the stiffener assembly configured to translate between a retracted and an extended configuration, wherein the stiffener assembly comprises an upper first linkage attached to a lower second linkage, the first linkage pivotably attached to the stationary mounting member of the clipper body and to a lower portion of an actuation rod whereby actuation of the rod pivots the first linkage downward and causes the first and second linkages to align to have a substantially common centerline that is at an angle from vertical of between about 10-60 degrees to provide a stiffener closure force against the first gate member in the closed configuration.