Patent ID: 7510320

Claim:
An extrusion auger apparatus, comprising: an auger shaft having an axis; a pulling tool having a flanged end; and at least one auger segment, comprising: an auger hub defining a bore configured to engage the auger shaft along the axis thereof and an outer surface opposite the bore, wherein the auger hub defines a forward end and an opposed rearward end; at least a portion of a flight joined to the outer surface of the auger hub; and at least one recess defined by the auger hub between the forward and rearward ends thereof and extending radially from the bore toward the outer surface, the at least one recess having an engaging surface facing in a generally axial direction away from the forward end of the auger hub and a side surface disposed generally perpendicularly to the engaging surface, the engaging surface being configured to be engagable by the flanged end of the pulling tool, and the side surface being configured to be engagable by the pulling tool to prevent movement thereof around the auger hub, whereby an axial force exerted on the pulling tool outwardly of the auger hub from the forward end pulls the at least one auger segment along the axis of the auger shaft to facilitate removal of the at least one auger segment from the auger shaft.