disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety with particular reference to fig3 the distal end of the shaft frame 70 is attached to the staple channel 18 the anvil 22 has a proximal pivoting end 72 that is pivotally received within a proximal end 74 of the staple channel 18 just distal to its engagement to the shaft frame 70 the pivoting end 72 of the anvil 22 includes a closure feature 76 proximate but distal to its pivotal attachment with the staple channel 18 thus a closure tube 78 whose distal end includes a horseshoe aperture 80 that engages this closure feature 76 selectively imparts an opening motion to the anvil 22 during proximal longitudinal motion and a closing motion to the anvil 22 during distal longitudinal motion of the closure tube 78 sliding over the shaft frame 70 in response to the closure trigger 40 the shaft frame 70 encompasses and guides a firing motion from the handle 14 through a longitudinally reciprocating two piece knife and firing bar 90 in particular the shaft frame 70 includes a longitudinal firing bar slot 92 that receives a proximal portion of the two piece knife and firing bar 90 specifically a laminate tapered firing bar 94 it should be appreciated that the laminated tapered firing bar 94 may be substituted with a solid firing bar or of other materials in applications not intended to pass through an articulation joint such as depicted in fig2 14 an e beam 102 is the distal portion of the two piece knife and firing bar 90 which facilitates separate closure and firing as well as spacing of.