Patent ID: 8276678

Claim:
A support assembly for a deformable sealing element of a downhole tool, the support assembly comprising: a first support device adapted to be located adjacent a first end of a deformable sealing element of a downhole tool; and a second support device adapted to be located adjacent a second end of the sealing element; wherein the first and second support devices each comprise at least one elastically deformable support member adapted to be located between the respective end of the sealing element and an actuating member of the downhole tool; and a guide member having an inclined guide surface along which the support member travels when an expansion force is exerted on the sealing element by the respective actuating member to expand the sealing element radially into abutment with a surface downhole, the guide member acting to move the support member radially outwardly to thereby support the respective end of the sealing element during deformation and characterised in that the at least one support member includes a plurality of segments located on an outer surface thereof, wherein the segments are wedges arranged to be alternately inwardly and outwardly facing and the segments are arranged such that when moved radially outwardly the segments maintain a continuous surface abutting the respective end of the sealing element.