Patent ID: 8327929

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 a force is exerted on the support member by the respective actuating member thereby axially compressing the sealing element to expand the sealing element radially into abutment with a surface downhole, the guide member acting to move the support member axially with the sealing element and to stretch the support member radially outwardly in substantially only the plane of the support member to thereby axially support the respective end of the sealing element during deformation; wherein the support members and the sealing element are each expandable on exertion of a force via the actuating member and each are retractable on removal of the force.