Aug. 9, 1955
`
`Filed Aug. 8, 1951
`
`A. E. THOMPSON
`BRIDGING PLUG
`
`2,714,932
`
`2 Sheets-Sheet 1
`
`44
`
`EG-j.
`
`"
`
`INVENTOR,‘
`?ea/W5 E. THO/(4050M
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1020
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`

`

`Aug. 9, 1955
`
`A. E. THOMPSON
`BRIDGING PLUG
`
`2,714,932
`
`Filed Aug. 8, 1951
`
`2 Sheets-Sheet 2
`
`Ea 5
`
`58
`
`MEGCO Ex. 1020
`
`

`

`United States Patent O?lice
`
`2,714,932"
`Patented Aug. 9, 1955
`
`1
`
`2,714,932
`BRIDGING PLUG
`Archie E. Thompson, Bell Gardens, Calif., assignor to
`Lane-Wells Company, Los Angeles, Caliii, a corpora
`tion of Delaware
`Application August 8, 1951, Serial No. 240,856
`4 Claims. (Cl. 166-119)
`
`This invention relates to bridging plugs for well bore
`holes and casings, and is particularly concerned with the
`anchoring and packing devices thereof, together with the
`actuating and securing means for such devices.
`Bridging plugs of the type to which the present inven
`tion relates are primarily used to seal or pack off a well
`section while pumping, testing, or cementing operations
`are carried on above the section thus sealed off. Since
`it is desirable that the well bore or casing above the
`bridging plug be free and clear during such operations
`and since high pressure differentials must often be re
`sisted by the bridging plug under such conditions, it is
`obviously desirable to provide a plug capable of with—
`standing such pressures and which at the same time may
`be quickly and easily set in well bore or casing sealing
`position by instrumentalities which may be readily de
`tached from the plug and withdrawn, leaving the space
`thereabove unobstructed. To accomplish its desired pur
`pose, the plug must be capable of self-securement and re
`tention in set position without danger of inadvertent dis
`lodgment under high differential pressures. Heretofore,
`bridging plugs have been proposed which sought to satisfy
`these and like requirements, but difficulties have been
`encountered in accomplishing that purpose with a sim
`plicity of design compatible with economic manufacture
`and with such strength and durability as desired.
`it is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to
`provide a bridging plug in which certain undesirable
`strength limitations heretofore prevalent in conventional
`bridging plugs have been eliminated.
`More speci?cally, it is an object of the present inven
`tion to provide a novel, simple, and improved bridging
`plug having effective and e?icient means whereby the
`plug may be quickly and securely set by a readily re
`movable setting tool.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a novel,
`simple, and improved bridging plug which will securely
`retain its set position, effectively and e?iciently sealing
`the well bore or casing without danger of dislodgment
`after detachment and removal of the setting-tool.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a bridging
`plug having a novel arrangement and combination of slips,
`cones, packers, and actuating means such that disengage
`ment and removal of such parts may readily be achieved
`when termination of the bridging function is desired.
`Other objects of the invention include the provision of
`a unique combination and interrelation of parts whereby
`strength and durability are achieved with minimum ma
`terial cost and operational expense in manufacture or as
`sembly.
`These and other objects, advantages, and features of
`novelty will be evident hereinafter.
`In the drawings, which show, by way of illustration, a
`preferred embodiment of the invention, and in which like
`reference characters designate the same parts throughout
`the several views:
`Figure 1 is a vertical elevation, partly in longitudinal
`section, of the plug of the present invention assembled in
`position to be lowered into the well bore or casing for
`subsequent setting;
`
`15
`
`2
`Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the plug
`as it appears in set position within a. well casing;
`Figure 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the upper
`slip cone shown in Figures 1 and 2; and
`Figure 4 is a bottom view of the same.
`In considering the present invention as exempli?ed by
`the present speci?cation and accompanying drawings, it
`will be understood that the inventive concept hereof, as
`outlined by the appended claims, is in no way limited to
`the structural details herein set forth. Thus, the inven
`tion may be practiced in a wide variety of combinations
`with component parts wholly dissimilar from those here
`presented. Changes, modi?cations, and the full use of
`equivalents are therefore contemplated in the practice
`of the invention.
`,
`The invention here claimed relates more particularly
`to the packers, slips, cones, and their actuating and re
`taining means, as well as to the general combination and
`interrelation of such parts. Certain other novel and im
`proved features, such as, for instance, the fracturable
`bull plug, are herein disclosed in combination with the
`claimed structure, and with respect thereto reference may
`be had to the copending application of George A. Bouvier,
`Serial No. 240,847, ?led on even date herewith and in
`cluding a similar disclosure but having claims directed to
`structural features not necessarily combined with the
`claimed features hereof.
`‘
`Referring now to the drawings, the present structure
`comprises a central cylindrical mandrel 10 preferably of
`uniform smooth internal diameter. The upper open end
`of the mandrel 10 is shown as formed with an internal
`bevel 11. The opposite lower end of the mandrel is pro
`vided with a counterbore 12, the intermediate surface of
`which is threaded at 13 to engage the intermediate ex
`ternal threads 14 of the upwardly extending shank 15
`of a bull plug nosepiece 16 which closes the lower end
`of the mandrel 10. Below the shank 15, the nosepiece 16
`is formed with an exapnded head portion having a man
`drel-receiving shoulder 17 at the junction of the shank
`and a downwardly diverging frusto-conical packer en~
`gaging surface 18 extending therefrom, together with
`conventional prongs 19.
`Above the threads 14 of the shank 15 there is pro
`vided in the external cylindrical wall of the shank a
`circumferential groove 20, in which is seated an “O”
`ring 21 adapted to form a ?uid-tight seal between the
`mandrel and the nosepiece. Centrally of the upper end
`surface of the shank 15 of the nosepiece, a coaxial
`threaded hole 22 is formed, into which is threadedly
`secured an actuating stud 23. The stud 23 has upper
`and lower spaced threaded surfaces 24 and 25, respec
`tively. The lower threads 25 engage the threads of the
`hole 22 to secure the stud to the upper end of the shank
`15, while the upper threads 24 are adapted to be engaged
`; by a central actuating rod 26 of a setting tool (not
`otherwise shown). Intermediate the threads 24 and 25
`of the stud 23, the body thereof is formed with a cir
`curnferential groove 27, preferably semicircular in cross
`section and of such depth with respect to the thickness
`of the stud as to provide a transverse fracture plane such
`that upon the application of a su?icient upward pull on
`the rod 26 the plug will fracture or fail at the groove 27
`at a predetermined maximum tension, thereby freeing
`the actuating rod 26 from the shank 15 and permitting
`withdrawal of the setting tool and the upper portion of
`the stud after the plug is properly set.
`Another important feature of the nosepiece 16 is the
`provision of a peripheral fracture groove 28 adjacent
`the shoulder 17 and between it and the upper threaded
`portion 14 of the shank 15. As here shown, the groove
`28 is of substantial depth in relation to the diameter
`of the shank of the nosepiece, and to attain such depth
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`2,714,932
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`is formed with parallel, radially extending side walls 29.
`While the relation of the depth of the groove 28 to the
`diameter of the shank of the nosepiece may well vary
`with the design of the bridging plug and the material
`used, the present design with the groove depth approxi
`mately two-thirds the radius of the shank has been found
`desirable. A lesser groove depth may be employed if
`weaker materials are used or in conjunction with hollow
`nosepieces; conversely, a groove of greater depth would
`be formed in nosepieces formed of material having a
`greater tensile strength.
`It is important to note that the groove 28 is located
`at a point between the threaded attachment at 13, 14
`of the nosepiece shank 15 with the mandrel 10 and the
`head of the nosepiece 16 which receives the packing
`setting thrust at the surface 18. It will thus be seen
`that the groove 28 provides a transverse fracture or
`failure section across the nosepiece so as to permit
`dismemberment and separation of the enlarged lower
`head member 16 from the shank 15 and from the mandrel
`10 upon the application of a predetermined maximum up
`wardly directed force through the mandrel, which force
`is transferred from the head at surface 18 to the pack
`ing and plug setting mechanism hereinafter described.
`The well bore or casing engagement elements of the
`bridging plug comprise upper and lower sleeve-shaped.
`resilient packings 30 and 31, respectively, slips 32, and
`intermediate upper and lower slip actuating cones 33
`and 34, respectively. The packings, slips, and cones
`are all slidably mounted in interrelated coaxial align
`ment on the cylindrical outer surface 35 of the mandrel
`10. Such parts are retained in assembled relation upon
`the mandrel by disposition between the protruding sur
`face 18 of the head of the nosepiece 16 and a compres
`sion sleeve 36 on the upper end of the mandrel.
`The compression sleeve 36 is mounted upon the
`mandrel to permit relative longitudinal slidable move
`ment thereof along the mandrel toward the nose thereof
`and to preclude return from such relative movement
`by means of an internally and externally wickered lock
`ring 37. The lock ring 37 is seated within an internally
`wickered counterbore 38 at the upper end of the com
`pression sleeve 36 and is retained within the counterbore
`by the external wickers 40 of the ring. As indicated,
`the lands of the internal wickers 39 of the counterbore 33
`are buttress-shaped and face downwardly, while the
`matching lands of the external wickers 40 of the ring
`face upwardly so as to provide restraining interengage
`ment therebetween upon relative downward movement
`of the compression sleeve with respect to the ring 37. ‘
`The ring 37 is, of course, a split resilient ring, permitting
`contraction thereof whereby it may be received within
`the counterbore. A similar one-way slidable locking
`engagement between the ring 37 and the mandrel 10 is
`provided by internal, buttress-shaped wickers 41 formed
`on the inside surface of the ring and matching external
`wickers 42 formed on the outer surface of the mandrel
`10 at the upper end thereof. The relation of the mandrel
`wickers 42 to the wickers 41 on the inner surface of the
`ring is similar to the relation of the sleeve wickers to
`those on the outer surface of the ring in that the mandrel
`wickers 42 have buttress-shaped lands facing downwardly
`to abut upwardly facing, buttress-shaped lands of the
`internal ring wickers. Thus there may be relative down
`ward movement of the compression sleeve .36 and ring
`37 with respect to the mandrel 10 and relative upward
`movement of the mandrel 10 through the sleeve 36 and
`ring 37, but the interengagement of the wickers is such
`as to preclude opposite relative movement, i. e., upward
`movement of the sleeve 36 and ring 37 over the mandrel
`10 or downward movement of the mandrel 10 through
`the ring and sleeve. The lock ring 37 is, of course,
`permanently secured within the sleeve against relative
`downward movement by abutment of its inner face against
`the upper face of the shoulder formed by the end of
`
`4
`the counterbore. As here indicated, it is preferable that
`the depth of the wickers between mandrel and ring be
`substantially less than that of the wickers between ring
`and sleeve counterbore, since no longitudinal sliding
`movement between ring and sleeve takes place after as
`sembly, while such sliding movement between mandrel
`and ring is required during setting of the bridging plug.
`In the form of the invention shown, the mandrel wickers
`and their companion lock ring wickers are of approxi
`mately one~half the depth of the ring-to-sleeve wickers,
`and sufficient radial clearance must be provided between
`the wickers on the outside surface of the locking ring
`and the wickers on the inside of the counterbore of the
`sleeve to permit the wickers between the lock ring and
`the mandrel to ratchet over one another.
`The upper end of the compression sleeve 36 is formed
`with a portion 43 of reduced diameter concentric with
`the internal counterbore 38 and adapted to receive upon
`the annular shoulder formed thereby downward thrust
`from the tubular body 44 of a setting tool (not otherwise
`shown). The compression sleeve 36 is further provided
`with a downwardly extending, cylindrical ?ange 45 en
`circling, but spaced from, the outer surface of the man
`drel 19. The lower edge of the ?ange 45 is formed with
`a downwardly diverging, frusto-conical thrust surface
`46 adapted to engage a conforming edge surface 47
`‘formed on the upwardly extending outer lip 48 of the up
`per packing sleeve 30. The upper end of the packing
`sleeve 30 is also provided with an inner lip 49 parallel
`to the outer lip 48 and spaced therefrom by a short,
`longitudinally extending, coaxial slot 50. The inner lip
`49 is shorter than the outer lip and terminates in an op
`positely slanting, frusto-conical surface such that any
`pressure leakage thereto will seal the lip against the
`outer surface of the mandrel. Below the lips 48 and
`49, the upper packing sleeve 30 is formed as a relatively
`thick walled tubular body of resilient or yieldable ma
`terial terminating at its lower end with a ?at, transverse,
`pressure transmitting surface 51.
`While the inner surface of the body of the packing
`sleeve 30 snugly ?ts the smooth outer surface of the
`mandrel 10 below the upper external wickers 42 thereof,
`it will be understood that the packing sleeve is free to
`slide longitudinally upon the mandrel prior to expansion
`thereof under axial pressure from the compression sleeve
`36. Upon such sliding movement, pressure is trans
`mitted through the packing sleeve from the compression
`sleeve 36 to the upper slip cone 33, the upper ?at sur
`face 52 of which abuts the lower ?at surface 51 of the
`packing sleeve 30.
`The upper slip cone 33 has a substantially cylindrical
`portion and a downwardly converging, frus'to-conical
`portion 53. An upper bearing for the cone upon the
`outer surface of the mandrel, with respect to which it
`may slide, is provided by an internal annular counter
`bore 54 forming an inwardly extending, annular ?ange
`55. The cone 33 is further formed with longitudinally
`extending, circumferentially spaced slots 56, the upper
`ends of which have radially directed, circular apertures
`57. The slots 56 extend inwardly from the apex ends
`through the frusto-conical portion 53 of the slip cone 33
`to a point adjacent the ?ange 55, thus dividing the fruslo
`conical portion into individual ?ngers 58, each of which
`is resiliently flexible. T he inner faces of the ?ngers 58
`are provided with upwardly facing, buttress-shaped wick
`ers 59 similar in shape and size to the internal wickers
`41 of the lock ring 37. The internal ?nger wickers 59
`are adapted to engage external wickers 60 formed on
`the surface of the mandrel 10 intermediate the ends
`thereof. The wickers 69 are buttress-shaped and similar
`to wickers 42 at the upper end of the mandrel, and thus,
`while relative’upward movement of the mandrel 10 with
`respect to the cone 33 is permitted as the spring-like
`?ngers 58 Hex and ratchet over the mandrel wickers
`60, opposite relative movement is thereby prevented.'
`
`30
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`35
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`2,714,932
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`The slips 32 are mounted between the cones 33 and
`34 with their outer tapered ends seated upon the cones.
`Each slip comprises an elongated, externally wickered
`member formed with a central body section 61 and ta
`pered end 62. The outer faces of the slips and the in
`ternal faces of the central body sections thereof are
`parallel and disposed in planes parallel to the ‘axis of the
`bridging plug. The inner faces of the tapered ends 62
`incline outwardly from the central section with an angle
`of inclination approximately equal to the angle of in
`clination of the taper of the cones. In original assembly,
`as shown in Figure 1, the ends of the slips are tempo~
`rarily secured to the cones by shear screws 63. As the
`cones are forced inwardly toward each other when set
`ting the plug, the shear screws 63 are sheared and the
`slips ride out on the inclined surfaces of the cones to
`engage the well bore or casing. One or more of the
`slips 32 are provided with guide pins 64 which are slid
`ably received within apertures 65 extending radially of
`the mandrel, and serve to retain the slips midway be
`tween the cones after the pins 63 are sheared.
`Each slip is preferably, although not necessarily,
`formed with circumferentially offset end portions 66
`which overlap and interengage with adjacent slips. The
`width of each slip and of each offset end 66 is preferably
`equal to the width of each ?nger 58 of the upper cone;
`thus each slip may partake of the individual movement
`of each such ?nger. Each slip is further provided with
`a central exterior groove 67, which grooves 67 together
`constitute a central circumferential groove to receive a
`securing hand or spring to secure the parts in assembled
`relation before setting, or to assist in collapsing the slips
`after setting pressure is relieved. The grooves 67 also
`constitute weakened areas across each slip so as to per
`mit ?exure or fracture thereof without loss of grip
`should the plug be set against a Wall surface of such ir
`regularity that the ends of the slips may not otherwise
`contact and grip the same.
`The lower cone 34 is similar to the upper cone 33, ex
`cept that the slots forming the individual ?ngers are
`omitted, and the inner face of the tapered end is not
`wickered for engagement with the mandrel wickers.
`Thus the mandrel 10 may move freely within the lower
`cone. By upward movement of the mandrel in the
`lower cone 34, the lower packer may be compressed to
`effect the setting thereof.
`The lower packing 31 is preferably identical with the
`upper packing 30 and is mounted in reverse position on
`the mandrel, its outer lip lying against the outer frusto
`conical surface 18 of the nosepiece 16 in similar but re- '
`verse relation to that of the contact of surface 47 of pack
`ing 30 against the frusto-conical surface 46 of the com
`pression sleeve 36.
`Prior to lowering the bridging plug into the well, the
`slips, cones, and packings are arranged upon the mandrel
`10 in relaxed interrelation, as shown in Figure 1, the com
`pression sleeve 36, together with the nosepiece 16, re
`taining the parts in such assembly without longitudinal
`pressure. A setting tool is applied to the bridging plug
`by means of the actuating rod 26, as before described,
`and the whole assembly is lowered on the setting tool
`to the position within the borehole where it is desired
`it be set. Such setting tools may be of widely varying
`types and designs with respect to which the present in
`vention is not concerned. A preferred type of setting
`tool admirably adapted for lowering and setting the
`present bridging plug is that disclosed in the patent to
`Hart, No. 2,308,004, issued January 12, 1943. Such
`devices have an external cylindrical body, as indicated
`at 44, which may be applied in telescoping abutment
`with the necked portion 43 at the top end of the com—
`pression sleeve 36, together with a central actuating ten
`sion rod such as shown at 26. In operation, the setting
`of the plug is accomplished by imparting relative down
`ward movement of the outer cylinder 44 to the com
`
`pression sleeve 36 and opposite relative upward move
`ment of the central rod 26 to the shank 15 and nose
`piece 16.
`In the setting operation of the present tool, equal and
`opposite movement of the rod 26 and cylinder 44 causes
`the nosepiece 16 and sleeve 36 to move toward one an
`other, thus applying longitudinal pressure to the upper
`packing by the sleeve 36. Since the packing is free to
`slide upon the mandrel 10, such pressure is transmitted
`therethrough to the cone 33, which is thus urged down
`wardly along the mandrel toward the lower cone 34. As
`the cones thus move toward each other, the apex ends
`thereof slide under the slips, forcing them radially out
`wardly after ?rst shearing the shear screws 63. Such
`outward radial movement of the slips is terminated by
`the ?rm anchoring engagement thereof with the inside
`surface of the well bore or casing, and thereafter fur—
`ther longitudinal pressure exerted between the nose
`piece 16 and compression sleeve 36 by the setting tool
`compresses the packings. The packings are thus ex~
`panded radially against the inside surface of the well bore
`or casing to securely pack the same on either side of the
`anchoring slips 61.
`When the bridging plug is fully set, further setting
`' movement is precluded by well bore or casing resistance
`to outward expansion of the slips and packers, whereupon
`further setting pressure results in a fracture or failure of
`the stud 23 at the groove 2'7. After such fracture, the
`setting tool may be removed, it being noted that the
`outer cylinder 44 is detachably coupled to the sleeve 36
`and is not secured to the setting tool and that the actuat
`ing rod 26 constitutes the only ?xed attachment between
`the setting tool and the bridging plug.
`In thus setting the plug, it will be noted that the man
`drel 10 has been moved upwardly with respect to the
`cones 33 and 34, packings 30 and 31, and slips 61 and
`with respect to the compression sleeve 36, which is moved
`equally and oppositely downwardly relative to the upward
`movement of the nosepiece 16. In such movement, the
`external wickers 42 of the mandrel have ratcheted through
`the internal wickers of the lock ring 37 and slip cone
`?ngers 58. In such movement, the ring 37 is retained
`against upward movement with the mandrel by interen
`gagement of its external wickers 40 with the internal
`wickers 39 of the counterbore 38, while the upper cone
`33 is retained by the upper packing 30 and the engage
`ment of wickers 59 of the slip cone ?ngers S8 with
`wickers 60 of the mandrel 10. Upon release of the ac
`tuating rod 26 by fracture of the stud 23 at groove 27,
`return of the original relation between mandrel and sleeve,
`or mandrel and upper cone, under influence of the re
`silience of the packings, is precluded by interengage
`ment of the mandrel and lock ring wickers and mandrel
`and slip cone ?nger wickers. Thus the plug is ?rmly and
`positively retained in set position with the parts in the
`positions shown in Figure 2.
`When it is desired to remove the plug, a retrieving
`tool is run into the mandrel and there expanded to grip
`the internal walls of the mandrel, an expanding spear
`being commonly employed for this purpose. With the
`mandrel securely gripped by such a tool, upward force is
`exerted, which force is transmitted to the nosepiece 16
`through the shank 15 and through the reduced section
`thereof formed at the groove 28. Such force is, how
`ever, resisted by the ?rm engagement of the anchoring
`means and packings with the well bore or casing, and the
`strains of such force are therefore distributed through
`the nose piece. When such forces have acquired a pre
`determined degree, the nosepiece shank will fracture at
`its Weakest point, namely, at the section bounded by the
`inner surface of the groove 28, and after such fracture
`the mandrel with the nosepiece shank 15 thereto attached
`may be withdrawn upwardly by the retrieving tool, leav
`ing the head of the nosepiece 16 free to drop down in
`the casing or well bore. Since the mandrel may always
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`Vmove freely upwardly through the ring 37 and upper
`cone 33, it will slip out of all of the companion parts of
`the plug, leaving such parts unsupported by the man
`drel and free to drop downwardly to be subsequently
`withdrawn by suitable means such as a junk basket or
`other ?shing tools. The entire plug is thus simply and
`easily removed from the Well.
`From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present
`invention provides a novel, simple, effective, and efficient
`bridging plug which may be readily set to pack off a
`desired well Zone, and which may be easily and quickly
`removed to permit free passage of well ?uid, drilling tools,
`or the like without requiring a drilling operation for the
`destruction of the parts. It will further be noted that
`the invention provides for a self-locking of the parts in
`set position, permitting the simple withdrawal of the set
`ting tool at any time after setting.
`A particular advantage of the construction of this
`bridging plug also resides in the self~locking character
`istics of the upper slip cone 33, which permits high set
`ting forces to be applied to the packings and retained
`without the usual danger of failure of the locking ring
`as conventionally employed for this purpose. The slotted
`construction of the slip cone 33, together with the wick
`ered ?ngers 58, provides for the gripping of the man
`drel wickers 66 by the slip cone ?nger wickers 59 with
`a radial force which is proportional to the longitudinal
`force applied to the slip cone by the slips 52. Thus the
`secureness with which the slip cone 33 is anchored to
`the mandrel is always commensurate with the setting
`forces to be resisted thereby.
`As hereinbefore indicated, the invention is not lirn~
`ited to the exact structural features herein disclosed, and
`the invention may be successfully practiced with nu
`merous changes, modi?cations, and the full use of equiv
`alents without departure from the spirit or scope of
`the appended claims. The present invention, although
`shown and described in connection with a bridging plug
`having the described construction, is directed particu
`larly to the upper slip cone with its resilient ?ngers and
`wickers. It will be understood, however, that this in
`vention may be applied to other types of well tools and,
`in fact, to many other forms of apparatus employing a
`collar or sleeve on a cylindrical body to be secured
`against movement with respect thereto in one direction
`but freely movable in the opposite direction.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A well tool as described comprising in combination:
`a mandrel having external wickers formed thereon; a
`?rst slip cone on said mandrel; a second slip cone slid
`ably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal move
`ment toward said ?rst slip cone, the converging ends of
`said cones being directed toward each other; a plurality
`of slips carried by and between said slip cones; a packing
`sleeve on said mandrel, one end thereof being adjacent
`the diverging end of said second slip cone; a packer ex
`pander sleeve slidable on said mandrel toward‘the other
`end of said packing sleeve for expanding said packing
`sleeve and for moving said second slip cone toward said
`?rst slip cone for setting said slips; circumferentially
`spaced, longitudinal slots formed in theeonverging end
`portion of said second slip cone, forming a plurality of
`radially ?exible ?nger portions; and wickers formed on
`the inside surface of said ?nger portions to elfect lock
`ing engagement with said wickers on said mandrel after
`movement of said second slip cone to a slip setting posi
`tion.
`2. A well tool as described comprising in combination:
`a mandrel having external wickers formed thereon; a
`?rst slip cone on said mandrel; a second slip cone slid
`ably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal move
`ment toward said ?rst slip cone, the converging ends of
`said cones being directed toward each other; a plurality
`of double-ended slips carried by and between said slip
`cones, each of said slips having a plurality of oppositely
`
`8
`directed casing-engaging wickers; a packing sleeve on said
`mandrel, one end thereof being adjacent the diverging
`end of said second slip cone; a packer expander sleeve
`slidable on said mandrel toward the other end of said
`packing sleeve for expanding said packing sleeve and
`for moving said second slip cone toward said ?rst slip
`cone for setting said slips; circumferentially spaced, longi
`tudinal slots formed in the converging end portion of said
`second slip cone, forming a plurality of radially ?exible
`?nger portions; and wickers formed on the inside surface
`of said ?nger portions to eifect locking engagement with
`said wickers on said mandrel after movement of said
`second slip cone to a slip setting position.
`3. A well tool as described comprising in combination:
`a mandrel having external wickers formed thereon; a
`?rst slip cone slidable on said mandrel; a second slip
`cone slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal
`movement toward said ?rst slip cone, the converging ends
`of said cones being directed toward each other; a plu
`rality of slips carried by and between said slip cones; a
`?rst packing sleeve on said mandrel, one end thereof
`being adjacent the diverging end of said ?rst slip cone;
`a second packing sleeve on said mandrel,‘ one end thereof
`being adjacent the diverging end of said second slip cone;
`a packer expander means on said mandrel adjacent the
`other end of said ?rst packing sleeve; a packer expander
`sleeve on said mandrel adjacent the other end of said
`second packing sleeve and slidable toward said expander
`means for expanding said packing sleeves and for moving
`said second slip cone toward said ?rst slip cone for set~
`ting said slips; circumferentially spaced, longitudinal slots
`formed in the converging end portions of said second
`slip cone, forming a plurality of radially ?exible ?nger
`portions; and wickers formed on the inside surfaces of
`said ?nger portions to effect locking engagement with
`said wickers on said mandrel after movement of said
`second slip cone to a slip-setting position.
`4. A well tool as described comprising in combination:
`a mandrel having external wickers formed thereon; a
`?rst slip cone slidable on said mandrel; a second slip
`cone slidably mounted on said mandrel for longitudinal
`movement toward said ?rst slip cone, the converging ends
`of said cones being directed toward each other; a plu
`rality of double-ended slips carried by and between said
`slip cones, each of said slips having a plurality of oppo
`sitely directed, casing-engaging wickers; a ?rst packing
`sleeve on said mandrel, one end thereof being adjacent
`the diverging end of said ?rst slip cone; a second packing
`sleeve on said mandrel, one end thereof being adjacent
`the diverging end of said second slip cone; a packer ex
`pander means on said mandrel adjacent the other end of
`said ?rst packing sleeve; a packer expander sleeve on
`said mandrel adjacent the other end of said second pack
`ing sleeve and slidable toward said expander means for
`expanding said packing sleeves and for moving said sec
`ond slip cone toward said ?rst slip cone for setting said
`slips; circumferentially spaced, longitudinal slots formed
`in the converging end portions of said second slip cone,
`forming a plurality of radially ?exible ?nger portions;
`and wickers formed on the inside surface of said ?nger
`portions to effect locking engagement with said wickers
`on said mandrel after movement of said second slip cone
`toward said ?rst slip cone to a slip-setting and packing
`expanding position.
`References Cited in the ?le of this patent
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`McCartney ___________ __ Dec. 8, 1925
`Hart _________________ __ Apr. 4, 1944
`Lawrence ____________ __ May 22, 1945
`Turechek ____________ __ Aug. 14, 1945
`Crickmer ____________ __ Aug. 28, 1945
`Ragan ______________ __ Dec. 18, 1951
`Morrisett ____________ __ Mar. 18, 1952
`' Baker et al ___________ __ May '27, 1952
`
`1,564,699
`2,345,873
`2,376,605
`2,382,455
`2,383,453
`2,578,900
`2,589,506
`2,598,340
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`30
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`40
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`60
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`MEGCO Ex. 1020
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