Patent ID: 9702221
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: E21B

Claim:
1. A downhole tool comprising: a tubular housing having a first housing end, a second housing end, a housing inner surface, and a housing axis extending longitudinally between said first housing end and said second housing end; a ball trap within said housing, said ball trap comprising, a first sleeve at least partially within said housing, said first sleeve having a first inner sleeve surface, an outer sleeve surface radially between said tubular housing and said inner sleeve surface, a first partially-conical sleeve surface longitudinally between the first housing end and the ball carrier, and an annular lip extending radially inward from said inner sleeve surface and opening toward said first housing end; a second sleeve at least partially within said housing and having a second partially-conical sleeve surface longitudinally between the second housing end and the ball carrier, said second sleeve at least partially defining an annular space within said housing; said ball trap positioned longitudinally between said lip and said second housing end; and a spring positioned in said annular space; wherein, the first split ring engages the first partially-conical sleeve surface and the first angular carrier surface; the second split ring engages the second partially-conical sleeve surface and the second angular carrier surface; and movement of the first sleeve toward the second sleeve causes the first split ring and the second split ring to contract, thereby reducing the inner diameter of the first split ring and of the second split ring.