Strange Rear Wheel

[Dbubbleguy]

I was poking around Ebay and came across this really strange looking rear wheel. Any ideas as to what it is, what it was used for?
Strange Wheel

 

[Duchess]

It was a type of derailleur, but I can't remember what it was called or the details. I think the tab things lifted the chain for different ratios. It might have been an auto shifter, too, but my memory isn't very good.