Patent ID: 8893779

Claim:
A downhole tool slip mechanism, comprising: a cone disposed on a downhole tool; a cage disposed on the downhole tool and defining at least one slip slot, the at least one slip slot having a closed end, an open end, and opposing inner walls extending from the closed end to the open end, at least one of the cone and cage being movable relative to the other; at least one finger disposed on the cage and extending from the closed end to the open end of the at least one slip slot, the at least one finger having a first proximal end attached to the closed end and having a first distal end freely disposed toward the open end; and at least one slip disposed in the at least one slip slot and being movable between retracted and extended positions relative to the downhole tool, the at least one slip having a second proximal end and a second distal end, the at least one slip having opposing sides toward the second proximal end, a deck toward the second proximal end, and a toe toward the second distal end, the deck connecting the opposing sides and disposed between the at least one finger and the downhole tool, the deck being retained radially by the at least one finger, the opposing sides exposed in the at least one slot between the opposing inner walls and the at least one finger, the toe disposed at least radially unretained beyond the open end of the at least one slot, the opposing sides each defining a first bearing surface retained axially by the opposing inner walls of the at least one slip slot.