Patent ID: 8453673

Claim:
A valve cage for use in a pumping apparatus comprising, in combination: a housing having a north end and a south end, wherein a first interior portion of the housing proximate the north end includes a first threaded region and a second interior portion of the housing proximate the south end includes a second threaded region; and an insert adapted to be positioned in the housing, comprising, in combination: a base portion adapted to abut a seat, the base portion having an exterior diameter, wherein a top of the base portion includes an inwardly and downwardly angled lip adapted to abut a third interior portion of the housing, wherein the lip engages itself against the third interior portion of the housing when the insert is positioned in the housing; a cradle portion adapted to releasably retain a ball, wherein the cradle portion is substantially cup-shaped, and wherein the cradle portion includes one circular port centrally positioned at a north end of the cradle portion; and a plurality of angled ribs, wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs extends rotationally upwards an entire length from the base portion to the cradle portion, the plurality of angled ribs terminate at a top of the cradle portion, wherein the plurality of ribs define channels therebetween; wherein a greatest exterior diameter of the cradle portion is less than a greatest exterior diameter of the base portion, such that the insert is upwardly tapered.