Patent ID: 7625168

Claim:
A pipe kicker for ejecting a section of pipe from a pipe launcher, comprising: a supporting frame having a top surface and a first opening thereon, said frame adapted for operatively attaching to a pipe launcher; a first arm having proximal and distal ends, said first arm substantially disposed within said frame, said proximal end rotatably coupled to said frame at a pivot connection point whereby said first arm is capable of rotation about a substantially horizontal first axis passing through said pivot connection point, said first axis substantially perpendicular to said frame, said distal end further comprising an elbow joint; a kicker arm having first and second ends, said kicker arm substantially disposed within said frame, said first end rotatably coupled to said elbow joint of said first arm whereby said kicker arm is capable of rotation about a second axis passing through said elbow joint, said second axis substantially parallel to said first axis, said second end of said kicker arm further comprising a kicker head adapted for ejecting a section of pipe from a pipe launcher, wherein said kicker head comprises at least one roller for rolling on a top surface of said pipe launcher; a guide ramp disposed within said frame adapted to guide said kicker arm; and a guide roller disposed on said kicker arm, said guide roller adapted to roll on said guide ramp whereby said kicker arm is capable of moving from a first position where said kicker arm is substantially disposed within said frame to a second position after applying a rotational force to said first arm at said pivot connection point whereupon said guide roller rolls up said guide ramp causing said kicker arm to rise up from said frame through said first opening and move said kicker head towards a pipe launcher to eject a section of pipe from said pipe.