Patent ID: 8479808

Claim:
An apparatus for restricting flow through a conduit, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a longitudinal bore and a radially expandable seat member disposed within the bore, the radially expandable seat member having a first position for receiving a plug element to restrict fluid flow through the longitudinal bore and a second position in which the plug element passes through the radially expandable seat member, the radially expandable seat member comprising an arcuate member comprising a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being disposed relative to each other for receiving the plug element when the radially expandable seat member is in the first position, and a retaining member operatively associated with the first and second ends to retain the radially expandable seat member in the first position, the retaining member comprising a retained position in which the radially expandable seat member is retained in the first position and a released position in which the first end and second end are released from the retaining member allowing the radially expandable seat member to radially expand to the second position, wherein the retaining member is disposed partially within the first end and partially within the second end to releasably connect the first end to the second end.