Surgical stapling apparatus with articulation brake assembly

A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

• an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis;
• a tool assembly including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly;
• a drive beam assembly selectively advanceable through the tool assembly and positioned to move the tool assembly between an unclamped position and a clamped position;
• and
• a brake assembly disposed between the elongated shaft assembly and the tool assembly, the brake assembly including a movable brake and a fixed brake, the movable brake positioned to move relative to the fixed brake based at least in part on the tool assembly moving from the unclamped position to the clamped position, wherein the brake assembly prevents the tool assembly from articulating relative to the longitudinal axis when the moveable brake contacts the fixed brake.

A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

• an adapter assembly defining a longitudinal axis;
• a tool assembly coupled to the adapter assembly and including a first jaw member and a second jaw member movable relative to the first jaw member;
• and
• a brake assembly supported on a distal end portion of the adapter assembly, the brake assembly including a movable brake and a fixed brake, the movable brake positioned to move relative to the fixed brake based at least in part on the first jaw member moving relative to the second jaw member from a first position to a second position, wherein the brake assembly prevents the tool assembly from articulating relative to the longitudinal axis when the moveable brake and the fixed brake are frictionally engaged.