Insert Units for Non-metallic Slips Oriented Normal to Cone Face

A method of setting a slip on a downhole tool against an adjacent surface, the method comprising:

• moving a body of the slip toward the adjacent surface by interacting an incline of the body with an inclined surface of the tool;
• transmitting load from the inclined surface to a base on the body having a first surface area, the base oriented at a base angle relative to the incline;
• transmitting the load from the first surface area of the base to one or more inserts on the body extending from the base, the one or more inserts having a second surface area less than the first surface area;
• and
• transmitting the load from the second surface area of the one or more inserts to one or more distal ends of the one or more inserts exposed beyond the body the slip;
• and
• engaging the one or more distal ends against the adjacent surface.

A method of assembling a slip for setting a downhole tool against a surface, the method comprises:

• forming a body of the slip having first and second surfaces and having first and second ends with a portion of the first surface at the first end having an incline relative to a centerline of the body;
• forming at least one insert unit having a base with a first surface area and having one or more inserts with a second surface area less than the first surface area;
• disposing the base of the insert unit on the body at a base angle relative to the incline;
• and
• disposing the one or more inserts of the insert unit on the body extending from the base with one or more distal ends exposed at the second surface of the body.