#$%^&*AU2013231017A120140424.pdf#####ABSTRACT A surgical instrument (10) comprising a handle assembly (12), an elongated body portion (14) extending distally from the handle assembly (12), a head portion (16) and a preload assembly (100) is disclosed. The head portion (16) is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion (14) and includes an anvil assembly (30) and a shell assembly (31). The anvil assembly (30) is movable in relation to the shell assembly (31) between spaced and approximated positions. The preload assembly (100) is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the shell assembly (31) and enables longitudinal movement of the shell assembly (31) with respect to the elongated body portion (14).
