Surface cleaner

Abstract

A surface cleaner (10) includes a body (12), a base (14), and a post (18) extending from the base. A supply tank (42) extends around the first portion of the column. A first end of the supply tank is on a first side of the post. The second end of the supply tank is on the second side of the post. A recycling bin (46) extends around the second portion of the column. The first end of the recycling bin is on the first side of the column. The second end of the recycling bin is on the second side of the post. The first end of the supply tank is adjacent to the first end of the recovery tank. The second end of the supply tank is spaced apart from the second end of the recovery tank. A battery (98) is coupled to the body between the second ends of the supply bin and the recovery bin.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 391,450, filed on July 22, 2022, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application. Background Art

[0002] The present invention relates to surface cleaners and, more particularly, to cordless wet surface cleaners. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one embodiment, a surface cleaner is disclosed, which includes a body having a base that supports the surface cleaner on a surface. The body includes a column extending from the base in a direction away from the surface and a handle located on the upper surface of the column in a direction opposite to the base. A supply box is removably coupled to the base and supported by the base. When the supply box is coupled to the base, the supply box extends around the first portion of the column, so that the first end of the supply box is disposed on the first side of the column and the second end of the supply box is disposed on the second side of the column. A recovery box is removably coupled to the base and supported by the base. When the recovery box is coupled to the base, the recovery box extends around the second portion of the column, so that the first end of the recovery box is disposed on the first side of the column and the second end of the recovery box is disposed on the second side of the column. A battery is removably coupled to the body and supported by the body. The battery extends along a third portion of the column. The first end of the supply box is positioned adjacent to the first end of the recovery box, and the second end of the supply box is spaced apart from the second end of the recovery box. The battery is disposed between the second end of the supply box and the second end of the recovery box.

[0004] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a surface cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a surface cleaner with the battery hidden for clarity.

[0007] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Side view of a surface cleaner.

[0008] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of a surface cleaner.

[0009] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Side view of the surface cleaner with the battery, supply bin, and recycling bin hidden for clarity.

[0010] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Top view of a surface cleaner.

[0011] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 front view of a surface cleaner.

[0012] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a surface cleaner according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A perspective view of a surface cleaner of FIG. 1 is shown with the battery cover in an open position.

[0014] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A perspective view of the surface cleaner with the battery, supply bin, and recycling bin hidden for clarity.

[0015] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 An enlarged view of a portion of a surface cleaner showing the battery mount.

[0016] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Example embodiments of the invention can be practiced or carried out in various ways. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present invention relates to a surface cleaner, in particular to a cordless wet surface cleaner having a supply box, a recovery box and a battery, all of which are removable from the cleaner. When the supply box and the recovery box are attached to the cleaner, these boxes form an outer wall defining most of the periphery of the cleaner. When the battery is attached to the cleaner, the battery is located between the supply box and the recovery box and forms a portion of the outer wall defining the periphery of the cleaner.

[0018] Figure 1-Figure 7 A surface cleaner 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The surface cleaner 10 is a wet surface cleaner, such as a spot cleaner, a carpet or hard floor extractor, etc., which delivers a liquid to a surface to be cleaned. The surface cleaner 10 includes a body 12 having a base 14 that supports the surface cleaner 10 on a surface, such as a surface to be cleaned. As described herein, the surface cleaner 10 includes a front side 22, a rear side 26 opposite the front side 22, a horizontal longitudinal axis A1 ( Figure 3), two opposite lateral sides 30, 34 disposed between the front side 22 and the rear side 26, and a top side 38 opposite the base 14. The column 18 of the body 12 extends from the base 14 in a direction away from the surface on which the base supports the surface cleaner 10. The column 18 defines a vertical longitudinal axis A2 ( Figure 3 ). In other words, axis A2 defines a longitudinal axis of column 18 and a vertical longitudinal axis of body 12. Horizontal longitudinal axis A1 and vertical longitudinal axis A2 are coplanar and define a plane P1 that bisects surface cleaner 10. A supply tank 42 for providing cleaning liquid is removably coupled to base 14, and a recovery tank 46 for receiving and storing debris and / or liquid collected during use of surface cleaner 10 is removably coupled to base 14. In the illustrated embodiment, supply tank 42 is disposed proximate to rear side 26, and recovery tank 46 is disposed proximate to front side 22. In other embodiments, recovery tank 46 is disposed proximate to rear side 26, and supply tank 42 is disposed proximate to front side 22. Surface cleaner 10 further includes a suction source 52 ( Figure 5 ) and the suction inlet 50 (at Figure 1 4). In use, the suction source 52 generates a suction airflow to suck debris and / or liquid into the recovery tank 46 through the suction inlet 50. In some embodiments, the surface cleaner 10 includes a cleaning tool 54 attached to the body 12 or the base 14. The cleaning tool 54 can be an agitator brush, an electrostatic brush, a spot cleaning tool, or other types of accessory cleaning tools. The cleaning tool 54 can include the suction inlet 50 and can include a liquid dispenser in fluid communication with the supply tank 42 to dispense the liquid to the surface to be cleaned.

[0019] The top side 38 of the surface cleaner 10 is formed in part by the upper surface 58 of the column 18. The upper surface 58 is located opposite the base 14 along the vertical longitudinal axis A2, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper surface 58 is smaller than the base 14 when viewed along the vertical longitudinal axis A2. A handle 62 extends from the upper surface 58 of the column 18. When used in the present invention, the upper surface 58 is not necessarily the topmost surface of the cleaner 10; rather, it includes a position near the upper side of the cleaner 10 and can be recessed from the topmost surface as required by the application. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 62 extends above the supply box 42 and the recovery box 46 to allow the user to carry and operate the surface cleaner 10 ( Figure 3 The handle 62 includes a user-gripable portion 66 that is spaced above the upper surface 58 and defines a longitudinal axis A3 along the user-gripable portion 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis A3 extends parallel to the horizontal longitudinal axis A1 and perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal axis A2 ( Figure 3), and is coplanar with the horizontal longitudinal axis A1 and the vertical longitudinal axis A2 (e.g., contained in plane P1). In other words, the user-gripable portion 66 of the handle 62 extends between the front side 22 and the rear side 26 of the surface cleaner 10 transverse to the longitudinal axis A2 of the column 18. In other embodiments, the handle and longitudinal axis A3 extend through the body transverse to the horizontal longitudinal axis A1 and may be perpendicular to the horizontal longitudinal axis A1. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle 62 includes an interface 70 proximate the front side 22 of the surface cleaner 10 for operating the surface cleaner 10, and the interface 70 intersects the longitudinal axis A3. Other embodiments may include the interface 70 positioned in different orientations and / or on different portions of the handle 62 or the surface cleaner 10. See. Figure 7 , the interface 70 may include a power button 71 for turning the surface cleaner 10 on and off, a power level adjustment button 72 for adjusting the amount of suction generated by the suction source 52 when the surface cleaner 10 is turned on, and a status indicator 73 (e.g., an LED) for indicating to the user the status of the surface cleaner 10. For example, the status indicator 73 may be turned on or off based on the surface cleaner 10, or may change color based on the status of the surface cleaner 10.

[0020] See also Figure 4-Figure 5 , the base 14 includes a supply box support surface 74 at the rear side 26 of the surface cleaner 10 and a recovery box support surface 78 at the front side 22 of the surface cleaner 10. The supply box support surface 74 is oriented transversely to the vertical longitudinal axis A2 of the surface cleaner 10. In other words, when the base 14 is positioned on the surface to be cleaned, the supply box support surface 74 is oriented approximately along the surface to be cleaned, and can be at an oblique angle to the surface to be cleaned. In addition, the supply box support surface 74 is positioned between the lowermost portion of the base 14 and the upper surface 58 of the column 18, and the lowermost portion of the base 14 can be positioned on the surface to be cleaned. Similarly, when the base 14 is positioned on the surface to be cleaned, the recovery box support surface 78 is transverse to the vertical longitudinal axis A2 of the surface cleaner 10 and is oriented approximately along the surface to be cleaned, and can be at an oblique angle to the surface to be cleaned. The recovery box support surface 78 is also positioned between the lowermost portion of the base 14 and the upper surface 58 of the column 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the recovery tank support surface 78 is positioned closer to the surface to be cleaned along the vertical longitudinal axis A2 than the supply tank support surface 74 .

[0021] The supply box 42 is removable from the surface cleaner 10 to allow filling, cleaning, and maintenance of the supply box 42. Therefore, the supply box 42 is movable between a use position and a removal position, in which the supply box 42 is coupled to and supported by the base 14, and in which the supply box 42 is not coupled to the surface cleaner 10. The supply box 42 includes a cover or cap (not shown) that can be opened to allow filling, cleaning, and maintenance of the supply box 42. When the supply box 42 is coupled to the base 14, the supply box support surface 74 supports the lowermost surface of the supply box 42. The recovery box 46 is also removable from the surface cleaner 10 to allow emptying, cleaning, and maintenance of the recovery box 46. Therefore, the recovery box 46 is movable between a use position and a removal position, in which the recovery box 46 is coupled to and supported by the base 14, and in which the recovery box 46 is not coupled to the surface cleaner 10. Similar to the supply bin 42, the recovery bin support surface 78 supports the lowermost surface of the recovery bin 46 when the recovery bin 46 is coupled to the base 14. In some embodiments, the recovery bin 46 includes a lid 86 that defines a top surface of the recovery bin 46. The recovery bin lid 86 is openable to allow the recovery bin 46 to be emptied, cleaned, and maintained.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the supply box 42 and the recovery box 46 include outer box walls that form at least a portion of the outer side wall of the surface cleaner 10. The supply box 42 forms an outer rear wall 90 of the surface cleaner 10, while the recovery box 46 forms an outer front wall 94 of the surface cleaner 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply box 42 and the recovery box 46 form at least 85% of the perimeter of the surface cleaner 10. In addition, when coupled to the base 14, each of the supply box 42 and the recovery box 46 extends around or surrounds a portion of the column 18. The supply box 42 extends around the rear of the column 18, and the recovery box 46 extends around the front of the column 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply box 42 and the recovery box 46 are adjacent on one lateral side 30 of the surface cleaner 10 and are spaced apart from each other on the second / opposite lateral side 34 of the surface cleaner 10. In other words, the supply box 42 includes a first end 43 and a second end 44, and the recovery box 46 includes a first end 47 and a second end 48. The supply box 42 extends around the column 18 in such a manner that, when measured along the horizontal longitudinal axis A1, a first end 43 of the supply box 42 is closer to the center of the column 18 than a second end 44 of the supply box 42. Similarly, the recovery box 46 extends around the column 18 in such a manner that, when measured along the horizontal longitudinal axis A1, a first end 47 of the recovery box 46 is closer to the center of the column 18 than a second end 48 of the recovery box 46. The supply box 42 and the recovery box 46 are oriented so that the first ends 43, 47 are positioned adjacent to each other and the second ends 44, 48 are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the horizontal longitudinal axis A1.

[0023] Surface cleaner 10 is a cordless surface cleaner that includes a battery 98. Battery 98 is a rechargeable battery and provides power to surface cleaner 10 that includes suction source 52. In the illustrated embodiment, battery 98 is a slide-type battery that is removably coupled to and supported by body 12 by coupling to battery mount 100. However, in other embodiments, the cleaner may utilize a pole-type battery that includes a base having a plurality of battery cells therein and a pole extending from the base. Instead of battery mount 100 of slide-type battery 98, the pole is removably received within a battery receiver to couple to the cleaner. See FIG. Figure 2-Figure 5 , the base 14 includes a battery-facing surface 102 disposed below the lowermost surface of the battery 98. In one embodiment, the battery-facing surface 102 engages a portion of the battery 98 to support the battery 98 in its coupled position. In another embodiment, the battery mount 100 and / or the battery terminal 106 are configured to support the battery 98 in its coupled position. The battery-facing surface 102 is disposed between the lowermost portion of the base 14 and the upper surface 58 of the column 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery-facing surface 102 is adjacent to the supply tank support surface 74 and is further away from the lowermost portion of the base 14 along the vertical longitudinal axis A2 than the recovery tank support surface 78. Unlike the supply tank support surface 74 and the recovery tank support surface 78, the battery-facing surface 102 is inclined toward the column 18. The slope of the battery-facing surface 102 is configured to help direct fluid that may have collected during operation of the surface cleaner 10 toward the recovery tank support surface 78, and thus away from the electrical components of the battery 98. The battery facing surface 102 also includes an edge 104 that is rounded to further help direct the fluid toward the recovery tank support surface 78. In some embodiments, the battery facing surface 102 is sloped toward the recovery tank support surface 78, and in some embodiments, the battery facing surface 102 is sloped toward the recovery tank support surface 78 and the column 18. The recovery tank support surface 78 may include a drainage feature and a reservoir to collect the fluid directed toward the recovery tank support surface 78.

[0024] See also Figure 2-Figure 3, the column 18 includes a battery mount 100 and a battery terminal 106 for electrically and mechanically coupling the battery 98 to the second lateral side 34 of the surface cleaner 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery mount 100 is proximate the second lateral side 34 of the surface cleaner 10 between the supply bin 42 and the recovery bin 46, and the battery 98 is coupled to the column 18 via the battery mount 100. In other words, the battery 98 forms a portion of an outer side wall (e.g., perimeter) of the surface cleaner 10 between the second ends 44, 48 of the supply bin 42 and the recovery bin 46. Because the battery 98 is coupled to the column 18 and forms a portion of the outer side wall, the battery 98 does not intersect the plane P1, and does not intersect the horizontal longitudinal axis A1 or the vertical longitudinal axis A2 ( Figure 6 ). The portion of the outer side wall formed by the battery 98 is oriented transverse to the outer rear wall 90 and the outer front wall 94 and is located between the outer rear wall 90 and the outer front wall 94. The battery terminal 106 is oriented so that the battery 98 is selectively coupled to the surface cleaner 10 by movement in a direction parallel to the vertical longitudinal axis A2. More specifically, movement of the battery 98 in a direction from the top side 38 toward the battery-facing surface 102 couples the battery 98 to the surface cleaner 10, and movement of the battery 98 away from the battery-facing surface 102 and toward the top side 38 disengages the battery 98 from the surface cleaner 10. When the battery 98 is coupled to the surface cleaner 10, the electrical terminal 110 engages the battery 98 to transfer power from the battery 98 to the surface cleaner 10. The battery mount 100 and the battery terminal 106 are configured to cooperate with corresponding features to mechanically and electrically couple the battery to the cleaner. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery mount 100 includes a securing track 114 configured to engage the battery 98 to couple the battery 98 to the surface cleaner 10. The securing track 114 aligns the battery 98 with the electrical terminals 110 and provides a structure for the battery 98 to be secured. When removing the battery 98 from the surface cleaner 10, the user slides the battery 98 along the securing track 114. In other embodiments, the battery mount 100 and the battery terminals 106 are configured to couple the battery 98 to the surface cleaner 10 by movement in a direction that is not parallel to the vertical longitudinal axis A2 (e.g., transverse or perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal axis A2), pivoting movement toward the cleaner, or other mounting configurations suitable for coupling a battery selected for the application.

[0025] See also Figure 1, the battery 98 includes an actuator 118 that a user can grasp to allow the battery 98 to move along the fixed track 114. The actuator 118 shown includes two opposing buttons that, when pressed, disengage the buttons from the fixed track 114 of the battery terminal 106. In some embodiments, the actuator 118 can be a single button or a rotating handle instead of two opposing buttons. When the battery 98 is coupled to the body 12, the battery 98 is oriented so that the actuator 118 is closer to the handle 62 than the base 14, and the opposing buttons of the actuator 118 are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the horizontal longitudinal axis A1. In addition, the battery 98 is positioned so that the longitudinal axis A3 of the user-graspable portion 66 does not intersect the battery 98.

[0026] Continue to see Figure 1 , when the battery 98, supply bin 42, and recovery bin 46 are coupled to the surface cleaner 10, the battery 98 is positioned between the supply bin 42 and the recovery bin 46. The battery 98, supply bin 42, and recovery bin 46 are removable from the surface cleaner 10, respectively. To accommodate the removal of the battery 98 when the supply bin 42 and the recovery bin 46 are coupled to the surface cleaner 10, release openings 122 are provided between the column 18 and the supply bin 42 and between the column 18 and the recovery bin 46. The openings 122 provide space for a user to grasp the actuator 118 of the battery 98 to slide the battery 98 along the fixed rail 114 and remove the battery 98 from the surface cleaner 10 without removing the supply bin 42 and the recovery bin 46.

[0027] See also Figure 2 and Figure 5 , the opening 122 is partially defined by a dimple 126 on the column 18. The column 18 includes a dimple 126 proximate each button of the actuator 118 to provide space between the column 18 and the actuator 118. Each dimple 126 is formed as a depression or recess extending into the column 18 in a direction away from the battery 98 (e.g., away from the second lateral side 34 of the surface cleaner 10). In addition, each dimple 126 extends into the upper surface 58 of the column 18 toward the base 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the dimples 126 are connected by a shallow recess 130 that extends into the column 18 in a direction away from the battery 98, but not as deep as the dimple 126.

[0028] See also Figure 2, the opening 122 is defined in part by recesses on the supply box 42 and the recovery box 46. The supply box recess 134 extends into the supply box 42 adjacent to one of the recesses 126 in the column 18. Similarly, the recovery box recess 136 extends into the recovery box 46 adjacent to the other recess 126 in the column 18. When the boxes 42, 46 are coupled to the surface cleaner 10, each recess 134, 136 forms a recess in the corner of the corresponding box 42, 46 adjacent to the recess 126. The recesses 134, 136 and the recess 126 together form the opening 122.

[0029] See also Figure 7 , the surface cleaner 10 includes a task light 140 to illuminate the front of the outer front wall 94. The task light 140 includes at least one LED that, when illuminated, emits light toward the front of the surface cleaner 10 to illuminate the surface to be cleaned. In the illustrated embodiment, the task light 140 is disposed on the body 12 and below the recycling bin 46 (e.g., closer to the surface than the recycling bin 46). In addition, the task light 140 is positioned to intersect a plane P1 that includes a horizontal longitudinal axis A1 and a vertical longitudinal axis A2. In addition, in some embodiments, the surface cleaner 10 includes an accessory flashlight 144 that is removably coupled to the surface cleaner 10.

[0030] Figure 8-Figure 11 Another embodiment of a surface cleaner according to the present invention is shown, with like features having like reference numerals with the letter "b" appended thereto, the differences being explained below. The surface cleaner 10b further includes a battery cover 200 coupled to the body 12b to selectively enclose the battery 98b. The battery cover 200 may be in a closed position (ie, in which the battery 98b is not accessible to a user) to prevent the user from accessing the battery 98b. Figure 8 ) and an open position where the user can access the battery 98b ( Fig. 9 More specifically, the battery cover 200 may rotate about an axis A4 ( Figure 8 ) rotation. The lower portion of the battery cover 200 includes a hinge 204, which is coupled to the main body 12b below the battery-facing surface 102b to allow the battery cover 200 to rotate relative to the main body 12b. Therefore, when the battery cover 200 is rotated to the open position, the battery cover 200 exposes the battery 98b from the top to allow the battery 98b to be removed from the surface cleaner 10b. The surface cleaner 10b further includes a cover engagement member 208 disposed behind the battery mount 100b (e.g., closer to the center of the column 18 than the battery mount 100b), which selectively fixes the battery cover 200 in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cover 200 includes a plurality of protrusions 212, which engage the cover engagement member 208 to fix the battery cover 200 relative to the cover engagement member 208.

[0031] See also Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the battery mount 100b includes an upwardly extending inner surface 216, which includes an outwardly extending sidewall 220. When the battery 98b is coupled to the cleaner 10b and is spaced apart from the cover engagement member 208, the inner surface 216 faces the battery 98b. The space between the inner surface 216 and the cover engagement member 208 defines a channel 224, which helps to guide fluid that may have bypassed the closed battery cover 200 and has been collected during the operation of the surface cleaner 10 away from the electrical components of the battery 98b. The channel 224 extends in a direction parallel to the horizontal longitudinal axis A1b to guide the fluid to the side of the battery 98b. The outwardly extending sidewall 220 also helps to guide the fluid away from the electrical components of the battery 98b. As the fluid leaves the channel 224, the outwardly extending sidewall 220 guides the fluid downward and toward the surface 102b facing the battery while keeping the fluid outside the battery mount 100b.

[0032] Although the battery mount 100 b has been described in conjunction with the surface cleaner 10 b having the battery cover 200 , the battery mount 100 b including the upwardly extending surface 216 and the outwardly extending sidewalls 220 may also be applied to embodiments of the surface cleaner 10 that do not include the battery cover 200 .

[0033] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

[0034] Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A surface cleaner comprising: a body having a base for supporting the surface cleaner on a surface, the body including a post extending from the base in a direction away from the surface and a handle positioned on an upper surface of the post in a direction opposite the base; a supply box removably coupled to and supported by the base, the supply box extending around a first portion of the column when the supply box is coupled to the base such that a first end of the supply box is disposed on a first side of the column and a second end of the supply box is disposed on a second side of the column; a recovery bin removably coupled to and supported by the base, the recovery bin extending around the second portion of the column when the recovery bin is coupled to the base such that a first end of the recovery bin is disposed on a first side of the column and a second end of the recovery bin is disposed on a second side of the column; and a battery removably coupled to and supported by the body, the battery extending along a third portion of the column, wherein the first end of the supply box is positioned adjacent to the first end of the recovery box, wherein the second end of the supply box is spaced apart from the second end of the recovery box, and wherein the battery is disposed between the second end of the supply box and the second end of the recovery box.

2. The surface cleaner of claim 1, wherein: The handle extends from an upper surface of the column above the supply box and the recovery box.

3. A surface cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The battery includes an actuator configured to be grasped by a user to remove the battery from the body, and wherein the actuator is disposed closer to the handle than the base when the battery is coupled to the body.

4. A surface cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein: The handle includes a user-graspable portion, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the user-graspable portion is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the post.

5. The surface cleaner of claim 4, wherein: The supply tank forms an outer rear wall of the surface cleaner and the recovery tank forms an outer front wall of the surface cleaner, the outer front wall being positioned opposite the outer rear wall along a horizontal longitudinal axis of the surface cleaner, wherein the longitudinal axis of the user-gripable portion and the horizontal longitudinal axis of the surface cleaner define a plane, and wherein the battery does not intersect the plane.

6. The surface cleaner of claim 5, wherein: The insertion direction of the battery extends along the plane.

7. A surface cleaner according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The longitudinal axis of the user-gripable portion is transverse to the insertion direction of the battery.

8. A surface cleaner according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: The longitudinal axis of the post is along the insertion direction of the battery.

9. A surface cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein: The battery is removably coupled to and supported by the post.

10. A surface cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein: The base includes a battery-facing surface, the battery-facing surface facing the lowermost surface of the battery when the battery is coupled to the main body, wherein the base includes a recovery box support surface supporting the lowermost surface of the recovery box when the recovery box is coupled to the base, and wherein the battery-facing surface is inclined toward the recovery box support surface.

11. The surface cleaner of claim 10, wherein the battery-facing surface is inclined toward the post.

12. A surface cleaner according to claim 10 or 11, wherein The battery-facing surface is further from the base along the longitudinal axis of the column than the recovery bin support surface.

13. The surface cleaner of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recovery bin includes a cover defining a top surface of the recovery bin, and wherein a top surface of the battery extends above the cover.

14. A surface cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein: The first end of the supply box is positioned closer to the center of the column than the second end of the supply box.

15. The surface cleaner of claim 14, wherein: The first end of the recovery box is positioned closer to the center of the column than the second end of the recovery box.

16. A surface cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein: The upper surface of the post includes a recess proximate the third portion to form an opening between a portion of the post and the battery, the recess being configured to allow a user to grip the battery.

17. The surface cleaner of claim 1, wherein: The recovery box includes a recess near the battery to form an opening between a portion of the recovery box and the battery, wherein the supply box includes a recess near the battery to form an opening between a portion of the supply box and the battery, and wherein the opening between the recovery box and the battery and the opening between the supply box and the battery are configured to allow a user to grasp the battery.

18. The surface cleaner of claim 17, wherein the recess in the recovery bin is formed in a top surface of the recovery bin, and wherein the recess in the supply bin is formed in a top surface of the supply bin.

19. A surface cleaner according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the upper surface of the column includes a recess adjacent to the third portion to form an opening between a portion of the column and the battery, and wherein the recess, the notch in the supply box and the notch in the recovery box form a release opening to allow a user to grasp the actuator.

20. The surface cleaner of any preceding claim, further comprising a cleaning tool coupled to the body, and a suction source disposed within the body and in fluid communication with the cleaning tool, wherein the suction source is powered by the battery.

21. A surface cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein: The supply tank, the recovery tank, and the battery generally form a perimeter of the surface cleaner.

22. The surface cleaner of any preceding claim, wherein the first portion, the second portion and the third portion form a perimeter of the pole.

23. The surface cleaner of any preceding claim, further comprising a battery cover rotatably coupled to the body, the battery cover rotatable between an open position and a closed position in which the battery is accessible to a user.

24. A surface cleaner according to any preceding claim, wherein: The body includes a task light configured to emit light forward of the exterior front wall, the task light being positioned to intersect a plane defined by the horizontal longitudinal axis and the vertical longitudinal axis of the surface cleaner.

25. The surface cleaner of claim 24, wherein the task light comprises at least one LED.

26. The surface cleaner of claim 24 or 25, wherein the task light is integrated into the base.

27. A surface cleaner as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 16 and 20 to 26, wherein the battery forms at least part of an outer side wall of the surface cleaner, the side wall being positioned between the outer front wall and the outer rear wall.

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