An anvil assembly (10) is provided. The anvil assembly includes an anvil center rod (14), a head (12) assembly pivotally secured to the anvil center rod assembly (14) from an operative position to a tilted position, and a sleeve (15) slidably disposed about the anvil center rod. The sleeve (15) is associated with the head assembly such that movement of the head assembly (12) from the operative position towards the tilted position effects proximal movement of the sleeve about the anvil center rod (14).
