Abstract: A ring valve assembly for use in a reciprocating type fluid pump with a piston cylinder and a cylinder head includes a ring valve having a fluid seal surface for selectively closing a fluid passage of a cylinder head and an annular ring retainer having a fulcrum edge and tapered top surface. The retainer is positioned beneath the ring valve and a slight clearance is designed in such that the ring valve experiences as a first stage of movement/deflection slight vertical travel. Continued operation of the fluid pump results in a second stage of deflection where the ring valve deflects into a frustoconical shape and lays against the tapered surface of the retainer, pivoting about the fulcrum edge.