Patent ID: 8113408

Claim:
A surgical stapling device comprising: an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis, and having proximal and distal ends, the elongated body including at least one housing half defining a recess; a tool assembly pivotally supported at the distal end of the elongated body portion about a pivot axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body, the tool assembly including a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly having open and closed positions; a flexible drive assembly having a distal end configured to translate through the cartridge assembly to eject the staples therefrom, the flexible drive assembly being bendable relative to the longitudinal axis when the tool assembly pivots; a first support member positioned adjacent the pivot axis on a side of the flexible drive assembly, the first support member having a first end disposed in the recess in the housing half and fixedly attached to the housing half, wherein the first end of the first support member includes a retaining portion having a J-shaped attachment member to engage a recess in the tool assembly; and a locking member press fit in the recess in the housing half.