Air caster

An air caster is a pneumatic lifting device used to move heavy loads on flat, non-porous surfaces.

Its operation is similar to a hovercraft, as it uses a thin layer of air as a way to float a very small distance off the ground.

The compressed air is forced under the airbag, pushing it and the load less than a millimeter off the ground.

[2] Air casters require a smooth, non-porous surface in order to maintain lift and operate properly.

He launched his company from his brother's manufacturing shop in 1964, and officially incorporated as the Airfloat Corp in 1967.

Animation of how an air caster operates. Dark blue represents compressed air; light blue represents the air film (or cushion) that the device rides on.