Surgical stapler with toggling distal tip

A surgical instrument end effector, comprising:

• (a) a first jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge;
• (b) a second jaw comprising an anvil body having a plurality of staple forming pockets, wherein the first and second jaws are operable to clamp and staple tissue positioned therebetween;
• (c) a structure located distal to the plurality of staple forming pockets and defining an interior space;
• and
• (d) a tip member pivotably disposed distal to the anvil body, wherein the tip member is pivotable relative to the anvil body about a transverse axis between a first discrete position and a second discrete position such that a proximal end of the tip member is movable within the interior space,
• wherein the tip member in the first discrete position is configured to maintain the first discrete position until acted upon by an external input force,
• wherein the tip member in the second discrete position is configured to maintain the second discrete position until acted upon by an external input force.

An anvil configured for use with a surgical instrument end effector, comprising:

• (a) an anvil body;
• (b) a plurality of staple forming pockets provided on the anvil body;
• (c) a tip member movably coupled with a distal end of the anvil body, wherein the tip member is movable relative to the anvil body between a first discrete position and a second discrete position;
• and
• (d) a resilient member separate from and configured to exert a bias force on the tip member, wherein the resilient member is configured to releasably maintain the tip member in the first discrete position when the tip member is in the first discrete position and in the second discrete position when the tip member is in the second discrete position.