VON KELLER REFUSE COLLECTOR Cities Equipment Corporation New York, New York     Arthur Reginald Von Keller of Brooklyn, New York, designed one of the first mechanized refuse collection bodies in America. Von Keller was awarded patents for two designs, but only his first (in 1930) is known to have been built. This consisted of a circular body in which refuse was loaded at the rear. The body was rotated under engine power to consolidate and compact the load towards the front. The rolling drum was suspended on a tilting frame, which was elevated to discharge. The drum could be rotated to assist in dumping of compacted loads.     Von Keller's bodies were sold by the Cities Equipment Corporation. Similar bodies were later sold by both American LaFrance and Keystone, under their respective brand names, and may have been licensed by Von Keller. At least one example is believed to have been tested by the City of Philadelphia around 1930. Little else is known about Von Keller or his machine. A newspaper reported in 1936 that he had been arrested (in Brooklyn) and charged with conspiracy in an influence-peddling scheme involving a DSNY snowplow bid. The case, in which Von Keller maintained his innocence, was personally investigated by reform Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. The outcome of the case is not known. SELECTED PATENTS Patent # Description Inventor Assignee Date US1845369A Method of collecting, transporting, and Von Keller March 19, 1930 US1964394A Refuse collector Von Keller October 2, 1932 REFERENCES Mayor Reveals Extortion Plot in Cleaning Bid The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 1936 11/11/15 © 2015 All Rights Reserved Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers Photos from factory brochures/trade advertisements except as noted