My grandfather passed last year and left a shop full of old car parts. One of the things I found was an 8" X 8" piece of leather with 5 hooks on each side and 5 rows of studs or rivets down the center. I've been told it was used back in the day as a kind of a temporary "fix-a-flat" on a Model T. I wish I could post a picture. Does anyone have a clue if that is correct, or what it might be called? I've searched everything I can thing of online. Thanks.
Just going from your description, I'm thinking it was not intended to hold air, but to hold a repaired tube from coming through a hole in the tire itself. In other words, you patched the tube, but put this thing on the outside of the tire to cover a larger hole through which the tube may try to come.
Hi Bill
They were generally referred to as a “Boot”.
Here is a link to a Google patent search that
will give you a general idea. Click on the image
on the left of the page, or click on “View PDF”
for an even better view and details.
You may even find one like yours if you have
the patience to go through the whole list <@^@>
https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=pts&hl=en&q=tire+Boot&tbs=,cdr:1,cd_min: Jan+1_2+1912,cd_max:Dec+31_2+1920,ptsdt:i&num=10
Regards
Art
Hal - Would you call that a "boot"? Whatever they're called, I think they were used a lot back in the "T" era. In looking at a couple books that I have of Model "T" accessories, I always find it interesting that tires seemed so relatively expensive back in those days, when you compare the tire prices to tools and other auto parts that sold for mere pennies sometimes, and I'm thinking that that's probably why tire "boots" were used to get a few more miles out of otherwise worn out tires. Guess there wasn't much worry about "hydroplaning" on worn out and bald tires in those days, huh?.....ha,ha,....harold
Thanks Art,....you and just about everybody else types faster than me!
Ever see the 3 stooges getting a flat tire... I mean ABOUT TO GET a flat where the tire has worn through the tread, then the cords, then the carcass and is down to the tube and it makes a big bubble gum bubble on the tire before it lets go? During the depression and WWII when tires were rationed, you'd do anything to keep from walking. You let the air out and lace that patch onto the tire and pump it up and be on your' way. Only problem being the rest of the tire is in the same shape. That's a wall hanger for sure! ws
I think those things are great! I have a couple lost amongst the too much stuff. None of mine are in really good condition, but I still like them. Tire "boots" came in a variety of types and designs. Some laced on from the outside, some were to be fitted inside the tire (I have one of each if I could find them). And some were made to be vulcanized into the tire casing itself. My first speedster, many (many) years ago, I ran a tire on for a few years that was very old, badly age cracked and had a chunk of the sidewall a good three inches long stitched and welded up. That silly tire didn't want to quit. Eventually, I was talked into throwing it out. In retrospect, I wish I still had it.
Things like early tire boots should be kept to remember where we came from and how we got to where we are. Rotten old tires (not pre-WWII) maybe should be thrown out.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2