Patent ID: 8801356

Claim:
A kicker/indexer for a pipe handler comprising a catwalk and a trough configured to receive pipe, the trough disposed along a longitudinal axis extending along the catwalk, the kicker/indexer comprising: a) a frame configured for attaching to the catwalk, the frame comprising a trough end and a catwalk end, the trough end configured to be disposed near the trough, the frame further comprising a top surface that slopes downwardly away from the trough end to catwalk end, the frame further comprising a backstop disposed on the catwalk end, the backstop configured to keep pipe from sliding off of the frame; b) a push block assembly for indexing or moving pipe along the top surface from the backstop to the trough, wherein the push block assembly further comprises a push block disposed on the top surface, the push block configured to move along the top surface from the backstop to the trough end of the frame, the push block assembly further comprising: i) a push block drive assembly operatively coupled to the push block, ii) a first continuous loop drive mechanism, and iii) a first motor configured for driving the first continuous loop drive mechanism; c) a kicker assembly for kicking out pipe located in the trough; and d) a first transmission operatively coupling the first motor to the first continuous loop drive mechanism.