Strange Shimano Hub

[Lay'emLow]

Found a Shimano 3cc hub in an assortment of bike parts, but there are some weird features that I can't make any sense of. For starters there's a sprocket integrated into the casing and it's mounted in the center of the hub. Also, there's no place for any spokes to mount...

Anybody familiar with this piece of equipment?

http://i754.photobucket.com/albums/xx189/Paulnack/f92c5c2f.jpg

 

[KCvale]

Wow, that really is an odd duck.
Looks like someone welded a sprocket in the middle, maybe for a 3-speed Jackshaft or trike?

It looks fun to play with regardless ;-}

 

[scotto-]

Yes, it mounts on the axle of a trike.

 

[Lay'emLow]

Thanks for the info guys. I cant believe I didnt make sense of it myself, seeing as I just randomly bought a trike from a guy riding by my house yesterday. Looks like its got an upgrade coming its way!

 

[wheelbender6]

I was puzzled, looking for the evidence of removal of the flanges where the spokes attach. Scotto figured it out.