Patent ID: 7540323

Claim:
In a rod actuated well pump system, a pump including a cylinder forming a fluid flow passage, a plunger disposed in said cylinder for reciprocation therein, said plunger being connected to an elongated actuating rod, said actuating rod extending within an elongated tubing string for conducting fluid from said pump to the Earth's surface, the improvement characterized by: plural spaced apart annular members sleeved over and secured to said actuating rod at spaced apart points therealong, said members are formed of an elastomeric material, said members having a diameter less than an inside wall diameter of said tubing string to allow fluid flow through said tubing string from said pump, said members being operable to urge particulate solids entrained in fluid being pumped through said tubing string to flow upward toward the Earth's surface and to minimize settling of said solids at said pump when said pump is not in operation, said members are formed with an elongated slit extending from an outer surface to a bore defining the annular shape of said members whereby said members may be mounted on said actuating rod by deflecting said members at said slit sufficiently to slip said members over said actuating rod and become engaged therewith.