Patent Description:
An extraction cleaner, such as an upright extractor or a canister extractor, typically dispenses cleaning fluid from a supply tank onto a surface, for example carpet, upholstery, or a hard floor, to clean the surface. The extraction cleaner then draws the cleaning fluid along with dirt from the surface into a recovery tank, leaving the surface relatively clean. It may also be possible to deliver water from the supply tank to the surface to rinse the surface before and/or after the cleaning fluid is applied.

<CIT> discloses a portable extraction cleaner, including a housing assembly, suction motor, supply tank and a recovery tank. The supply and recovery tanks are mounted to the front and rearward ends of the housing assembly.

The invention is a portable extraction cleaner as defined by the claims set out at the end of the specification.

The portable extraction cleaner includes a main housing and a recovery tank supported by the main housing. The recovery tank has portions at least partially defining a front side and a top side of the portable extraction cleaner. The portable extraction cleaner also includes a supply tank spaced rearwardly of the recovery tank and supported by the main housing. The supply tank has portions that at least partially defining at least one of the top side and a first lateral side of the portable extraction cleaner. In addition, the portable extraction cleaner includes a battery pack spaced rearwardly of the supply tank and supported by the main housing at a rear side of the portable extraction cleaner opposite the front side.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by consideration of the following description and the appended claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

As used herein, the term "horizontal" or "horizontally" is not limited to a direction or plane that is substantially or approximately parallel to a floor or other support surface on which the portable extractor is sitting, but also refers more generally to an orientation that is more lying over than upright. Similarly, the term "vertical" or "vertically" is not limited to a direction or plane that is substantially or approximately perpendicular to a floor or other support surface on which the portable extractor is sitting, but also refers more generally to an orientation that is more upright than lying over. The terms "top," "bottom," "upper" and "lower" refer to relative positions in a vertical direction. The terms "front" and "rear" refer to relative positions in a horizontal direction along a longitudinal axis of the portable extractor. The term "cleaning liquid" refers to water, a detergent, a sanitizer, or a mixture of water and detergent/sanitizer for cleaning or rinsing.

Referring now to the figures, <FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a portable extraction cleaner or extractor <NUM> having a front side <NUM>, a rear side <NUM> opposite the front side <NUM> defining a horizontal longitudinal axis <NUM> from the front side <NUM> to the rear side <NUM>, two opposite lateral sides <NUM> and <NUM> disposed between the front side <NUM> and the rear side <NUM>, and a top side <NUM>. The portable extractor <NUM> is a canister type extractor that is configured to be easily carried and operated by a user to clean a surface. The portable extractor <NUM> may be adapted to clean a variety of surfaces, such as carpets, upholstery, hardwood floors, tiles, or the like. The illustrated portable extractor <NUM> distributes or sprays a cleaning liquid onto a surface to be cleaned and then draws the recovered liquid and dirt from the surface via a cleaning tool (as described below).

The portable extractor <NUM> includes a base <NUM> and a main housing <NUM> mounted on top of the base <NUM>. A supply tank <NUM> for holding a cleaning liquid to be dispensed onto a surface being cleaned and a recovery tank <NUM> for receiving and storing recovered liquid and dirt drawn up from the surface being cleaned are removably supported by the main housing <NUM>. The recovery tank <NUM> is arranged at the front side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the recovery tank <NUM> has portions at least partially defining the front side <NUM> and the top side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>. More specifically, the recovery tank <NUM> includes a tank lid <NUM> at least partially defining the top side <NUM> of the portable extractor. In addition, the supply tank <NUM> is arranged rearwardly of the recovery tank <NUM> at the first lateral side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the supply tank <NUM> has portions at least partially defining at least one of the top side <NUM> and the first lateral side <NUM>. The portable extractor <NUM> further includes a battery pack <NUM> spaced rearwardly of the supply tank <NUM> and supported by the main housing <NUM> at the rear side <NUM> of the extractor opposite the front side <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the main housing <NUM> is configured to removably support the recovery tank <NUM> in an upward orientation in which the tank lid <NUM> at least partially defines the top side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>. A tank latch <NUM> is provided in a top portion of the tank lid <NUM> configured to selectively secure and release the tank lid <NUM> to the main housing <NUM> when the recovery tank <NUM> is supported by the main housing <NUM>.

A cleaning tool <NUM> is fluidly coupled to the recovery tank <NUM> via a flexible hose <NUM> for transporting recovered liquid and dirt drawn up from the surface by the cleaning tool <NUM> to the recovery tank <NUM>. The cleaning tool <NUM> is also in fluid communication with the supply tank <NUM>, for example, via a conduit carried in the flexible hose <NUM>, for dispensing cleaning liquid onto the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning tool <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the main housing <NUM> at the second lateral side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM> opposite the first lateral side <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the base <NUM> may include a lower base portion <NUM> coupled to an upper base portion <NUM>. The lower base portion <NUM> and the upper base portion <NUM> may be separate components releasably or permanently attached together using fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), tabs or hooks. Alternatively, the upper base portion <NUM> may be integrally formed with the lower base portion <NUM>, or the upper base portion <NUM> and the lower base portion <NUM> may be formed together as a unitary body. The lower base portion <NUM> has a flat bottom surface to support the portable extractor <NUM> on a floor or other generally flat support surface. The lower base portion <NUM> includes one or more peripheral flanges or projections <NUM> formed at least partially along the perimeter of the lower base portion <NUM> proximate the bottom end of the base <NUM>. The peripheral flanges <NUM> extend upwardly and outwardly beyond the perimeter of the upper base portion <NUM> to support one or more portions of the flexible hose <NUM> when the flexible hose <NUM> is wrapped around the base <NUM> for storage. The peripheral flanges <NUM> may define one or more access recesses <NUM> between them to facilitate gripping and handling of the flexible hose <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of peripheral flanges <NUM> are provided respectively at the oppositely facing front and rear ends of the lower base portion <NUM>. The illustrated peripheral flanges <NUM> form a pair of access recesses <NUM> between them, which are located on opposite sides of the lower base portion <NUM>. Preferably, the sides of the access recesses <NUM> are beveled to inhibit catching or snagging the flexible hose <NUM> upon removal from its stored position. In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG>, the angle <NUM> of the bevel on the sides of the access recesses <NUM> may be greater than about <NUM> degrees, and more preferably may range from about <NUM> degree to about <NUM> degrees, and still more preferably may be about <NUM> degrees.

The upper base portion <NUM> is configured to support or carry a suction source <NUM> and a pump assembly <NUM> thereon. The suction source <NUM> is in fluid communication with the recovery tank <NUM> and is operable to draw recovered liquid and dirt from the surface being cleaned through a suction nozzle of the cleaning tool <NUM> and into the recovery tank <NUM> via the flexible hose <NUM>. For example, the suction source <NUM> may include a motor and fan assembly <NUM> comprising a suction motor that rotates a fan or impeller to generate a suction airflow. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction source <NUM> is mounted on top of the upper base portion <NUM> proximate a rear end of the upper base portion <NUM> and the midpoint of the width of the upper base portion <NUM>. The motor and fan assembly <NUM> may be arranged in an upright or vertical orientation such that the suction motor and the impeller thereof are aligned vertically and rotate about a common vertical axis. With this arrangement, a portion of the motor and fan assembly <NUM> is received in a seat <NUM> that is integrally formed in the top of the upper base portion <NUM>. The seat <NUM> is generally shaped and sized to match the shape and size of the portion of the motor and fan assembly <NUM> being received therein. Also, a suction source housing <NUM> is secured to the upper base portion <NUM> over the motor and fan assembly <NUM>. The suction source housing <NUM> is configured to cooperate with the upper base portion <NUM> to sandwich and securely hold the motor and fan assembly <NUM> therebetween.

The motor and fan assembly <NUM> is fluidly coupled to the recovery tank <NUM> via a working air conduit formed with a suction port <NUM>. The suction port <NUM> is arranged proximate a front end of the upper base portion <NUM> and extends upwardly from the upper base portion <NUM> in generally a vertical orientation to a distal open end <NUM> to provide a fluid coupling with the recovery tank <NUM>, as described further below. The suction port <NUM> may be integrally formed with the upper base portion <NUM> or may be separately formed from the upper base portion <NUM>. The proximal end of the suction port <NUM> opposite the distal open <NUM> extends through the upper base portion <NUM> and is in fluid communication with the motor and fan assembly <NUM>. For example, one or more passages may be formed by partitions or channels defined between the upper base portion <NUM> and the lower base portion <NUM> for delivering the working air drawn from the recovery tank <NUM> via the suction port <NUM> to the motor and fan assembly <NUM>, where it can be discharged as exhaust. In some embodiments, a baffle <NUM> (<FIG>) may be mounted on a shelf formed at the rear end of the upper base portion <NUM> to direct the exhaust air exiting the motor and fan assembly <NUM> downwardly through a plurality of slots formed in the shelf and/or rearwardly through vent portions <NUM> of the housing body <NUM>, described further below.

The pump assembly <NUM> is in fluid communication with the supply tank <NUM> and the cleaning tool <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> is operable to draw cleaning liquid from the supply tank <NUM> and to supply or deliver the cleaning liquid to the cleaning tool <NUM> where it can be dispensed onto a surface to be cleaned via a distribution nozzle of the cleaning tool <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> may include a pump <NUM>, for example, a DC pump or other suitable pump, and tubing or other conduits fluidly coupling the pump <NUM> to the supply tank <NUM> and the cleaning tool <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump <NUM> is mounted on top of the suction source housing <NUM> above the motor and fan assembly <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump <NUM> is arranged horizontally with its longitudinal pump axis transverse to the front-to-rear longitudinal axis <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>. A pump cover <NUM> may be secured to the suction source housing <NUM> over the pump <NUM> to secure the pump <NUM> between pump cover <NUM> and the suction source housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, the suction source <NUM> and the pump assembly <NUM> may be positioned elsewhere in the main housing <NUM>.

The pump <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> is fluidly connected to the cleaning tool <NUM> via tubing <NUM> having one or more portions received or carried within or adjacent the flexible hose <NUM> to deliver cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned.

In addition, referring to <FIG> in particular, a hose connector <NUM> is provided to fluidly couple the flexible hose <NUM> to the recovery tank <NUM> so as to direct recovered liquid and dirt into the recovery tank <NUM>. The hose connector <NUM> includes a suction conduit <NUM> connected between a tubular distal section <NUM> and an elbow-shaped proximal section <NUM>. The suction conduit <NUM> is fixed between the upper base portion <NUM> and the lower base portion <NUM> and may be attached the lower base portion <NUM> and/or the upper base portion <NUM> using fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), tabs or hooks. In one embodiment, the suction conduit <NUM> may be formed in part by the lower base portion <NUM>. The tubular distal section <NUM> of the hose connector <NUM> extends upwardly from the upper base portion <NUM> through a hose connector opening <NUM> formed through the upper base portion <NUM> proximate the suction port <NUM>. The tubular distal section <NUM> is oriented vertically and terminates at a distal open end 150a of the hose connector <NUM>. The elbow-shaped proximal section <NUM> of the hose connector <NUM> exits and from a lateral side of the upper base portion <NUM> and extends to a proximal open end 150b of the hose connector <NUM> exterior to the upper base portion <NUM>. The proximal open end 150b of the hose connector <NUM> defines a horizontal, longitudinal axis that extends generally along or parallel to the front-to-rear longitudinal axis <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>. The hose connector <NUM> may be coupled at its proximal open end 150b to the flexible hose <NUM> via a tubular hose cuff <NUM>. With this arrangement, the flexible hose <NUM> exits the hose cuff <NUM> in generally a horizontal direction tangentially to the side of the upper base portion <NUM> so as to facilitate wrapping the hose around the lower base portion <NUM> on the peripheral flanges <NUM> of the lower base portion <NUM> and minimize tension or kinking in the flexible hose <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the main housing <NUM> cooperates with the upper base portion <NUM> to cover, enclose or otherwise house the suction source <NUM> and the pump assembly <NUM> and may be attached to the upper base portion <NUM> in a mating relationship using fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.), tabs or hooks. The main housing <NUM> includes a housing body <NUM> configured to support each of the supply tank <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM> in an upright or vertical orientation as described below.

Referring to <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing body <NUM> includes a front portion <NUM> having a reverse L-shaped profile. In particular, the front portion <NUM> includes a forwardly facing vertical face <NUM> and an upwardly facing horizontal platform <NUM> connected to the vertical face <NUM> at a lower end of the front portion <NUM>. The platform <NUM> comprises a tank receptacle <NUM> that in one embodiment is generally shaped and sized to match the shape and size of the bottom end of the recovery tank <NUM> for removably receiving and supporting the recovery tank <NUM> thereon in a vertical orientation. When the recovery tank <NUM> is installed on the platform <NUM>, portions of the recovery tank <NUM> at least partially define the front side <NUM> and the top side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>, as described further below. Two apertures <NUM>, <NUM> are formed in the tank receptacle <NUM> and extend through the platform <NUM>. The first aperture <NUM> receives the distal open end <NUM> of the suction port <NUM> for providing fluid communication between the recovery tank <NUM> and the suction source <NUM>. The second aperture <NUM> receives the distal open end 150a of the hose connector <NUM> for providing fluid communication between the flexible hose <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM>.

The housing body <NUM> also includes a rear portion <NUM> arranged opposite the front portion <NUM>. The rear portion <NUM> defines one or more vent portions <NUM> for venting the cooling air entering and exiting the suction source <NUM> and a battery compartment <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of slot-shaped vent portions <NUM> are formed symmetrically on opposite sides of the rear portion <NUM> proximate a lower end of the rear portion <NUM>. Alternatively, the vent portions <NUM> may have any shape or location relative to the housing body <NUM> suitable for venting the cooling air entering and exiting the suction source <NUM>.

The battery compartment <NUM> is configured to removably receive and to support the battery pack <NUM> at the rear side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM> opposite the front side <NUM>. The battery pack <NUM> may include one or more battery cells for supplying power to operate the portable extractor <NUM>, including the suction source <NUM> and the pump assembly <NUM>. For example, the battery pack <NUM> may be a rechargeable battery pack <NUM> having one or more lithium-based cells. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery compartment <NUM> is formed at an upper end of the rear portion <NUM> of the housing body <NUM> and defines a longitudinal battery insertion axis extending in a vertical orientation. Thus, the battery pack <NUM> may be inserted into the battery compartment <NUM> along the vertical battery insertion axis. In particular, the battery compartment <NUM> is open at its top end to removably receive and to support a battery pack <NUM> in an upright or vertical orientation. The battery compartment <NUM> may include mating features shaped and configured to releasably engage complimentary features on the battery pack <NUM> when the battery pack <NUM> is inserted in the battery compartment <NUM>. When the battery pack <NUM> is installed in the battery compartment <NUM>, battery contacts on the battery pack <NUM> come into an electrically conductive connection with corresponding contacts in the battery compartment <NUM>, which are electrically connected to the suction source <NUM> and the pump assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the main housing <NUM> includes a battery cover <NUM> to selectively cover and uncover the battery pack <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cover <NUM> is oriented upright in a closed position to cover the battery pack <NUM>. The lower end of the battery cover <NUM> is pivotally coupled to the housing body <NUM> via a hinge joint that allows the battery cover <NUM> to rotate rearwardly and downwardly into an open position to uncover the battery pack <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, when the battery cover <NUM> is in its upright, closed position, the upper end of the battery cover <NUM> is substantially flush with the top of housing body <NUM>. The above arrangement for the battery compartment <NUM> and the battery pack <NUM> is compact and facilitates easy access and removal of the battery pack <NUM> using one hand to open the battery cover <NUM> and slide the battery pack <NUM> out of the battery compartment <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the housing body <NUM> further includes an intermediate portion <NUM> coupled between the front portion <NUM> and the rear portion <NUM>. A recessed supply tank cavity <NUM> is formed along an upper edge of the housing body <NUM> in the intermediate portion <NUM> and is open to a top surface and a side surface of the housing body <NUM>. The recessed supply tank cavity <NUM> defines a longitudinal supply tank insertion axis extending in generally a vertical direction and its top end forms an insertion opening for inserting the supply tank <NUM>. The supply tank <NUM> may be inserted into the recessed supply tank cavity <NUM> along the vertical supply tank insertion axis. With this arrangement, the recessed supply tank cavity <NUM> is configured to removably receive and support the supply tank <NUM> therein in an upright or vertical orientation. When the supply tank <NUM> is installed in the recessed supply tank cavity <NUM>, the supply tank <NUM> is spaced rearwardly of the recovery tank <NUM> and portions of the supply tank <NUM> at least partially define the top side <NUM> and the first lateral side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>, as described further below.

A handle <NUM> is coupled on top of the housing body <NUM> for carrying the portable extractor <NUM>. The illustrated handle <NUM> has an elongated shape and extends longitudinally of the housing body <NUM>. More specifically, a horizontal, longitudinal axis of the handle <NUM> extends generally along or parallel to the front-to-rear longitudinal axis <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM> between the recovery tank <NUM> and the battery pack <NUM>. The supply tank <NUM> is located along the side of the handle <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may be integrally formed with the housing body <NUM> as a single component or may be separately formed from the housing body <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a first end of the handle <NUM> is coupled to a top surface of the housing body <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the main housing <NUM> includes a support member <NUM>, and a second end of the handle <NUM> opposite the first end is coupled to a top surface of the support member <NUM>. Alternatively, the handle <NUM> extends transverse to the housing body <NUM>. Specifically, the horizontal, longitudinal axis of the handle <NUM> may extend across the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support member <NUM> is connected to the vertical face <NUM> of the front portion <NUM> of the housing body <NUM> at an upper end of the front portion <NUM> and projects forwardly above the platform <NUM>, and may be positioned above the recovery tank <NUM>. The support member <NUM> may be arranged substantially flush with the top of housing body <NUM>. In one alternative, a display or other user interface is provided on the support member <NUM> in view of an operator. One or more portions of the support member <NUM> may be integrally formed with the housing body <NUM> as a single component or may be separately formed from the rest of the housing body <NUM>. In other embodiments, the handle <NUM> may have any shape or orientation relative to the housing body <NUM> and support member <NUM> and may be coupled to others parts of the housing body <NUM>.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, a tool holder <NUM> configured to releasably hold an elongated handle <NUM> of the cleaning tool <NUM> is coupled to the housing body <NUM>. The tool holder <NUM> may be fixed or may rotatable or otherwise adjustable so as to orient the cleaning tool <NUM> in different directions. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool holder <NUM> comprises at least one C-shaped support clip having an opening configured to releasably hold the elongated handle <NUM> of the cleaning tool <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the opening of the C-shaped support clip may face a lateral side. Optionally, the opening of the C-shaped support clip may face in an upward direction. The tool holder <NUM> is coupled on a side of the housing body <NUM> proximate the bottom end of the housing body <NUM> such that the opening of the C-shaped clip defines a longitudinal axis oriented in generally a horizontal direction along or parallel to the front-to-rear longitudinal axis <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>. As a result, the elongated handle <NUM> of the cleaning tool <NUM> is retained horizontally and tangentially to the side of the housing body <NUM> by the tool holder <NUM>. This arrangement relieves tension on the end of the flexible hose <NUM> connected to the elongated handle <NUM> of the cleaning tool <NUM> when the hose is wrapped around the upper base portion <NUM> and provides a convenient compact configuration for storing the portable extractor <NUM>. Alternatively, the tool holder <NUM> may comprise a magnetic assembly including a magnet coupled to one of the housing body <NUM> or the elongated handle <NUM> of the cleaning tool <NUM> and a ferromagnetic plate coupled to the other of the housing body <NUM> or the elongated handle <NUM> of the cleaning tool <NUM> such that the ferromagnetic plate is attracted to the magnet to releasably hold the cleaning tool <NUM> in place on the side of the housing body <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the recovery tank <NUM> comprises a container <NUM> that defines an internal volume for receiving and storing recovered liquid and dirt drawn up from the surface being cleaned by the suction airflow generated by the suction source <NUM>. The container <NUM> may be at least partially translucent or transparent to allow the user to easily detect the amount of cleaning fluid and dirt drawn up from the surface being cleaned. The illustrated container <NUM> includes a front wall <NUM> and a rear wall <NUM> connected by a pair of oppositely facing side walls <NUM> and <NUM>. The front, rear and side walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are formed integrally with a bottom wall <NUM> at a closed end of the container <NUM> that defines the bottom end of the recovery tank <NUM>. The tank lid <NUM> for covering the container <NUM> is arranged at the open end of the container <NUM> opposite the closed end. The tank lid <NUM> may be removably coupled to the open end of the container <NUM> to provide access to the internal volume of the container <NUM> for emptying and cleaning the container <NUM> once the recovery tank <NUM> is removed from the main housing <NUM>. For example, the tank lid <NUM> may have a lower portion or skirt configured to be received in the container <NUM>, and may include a seal disposed around the edges of the lower portion to provide a sealing engagement with the container <NUM>. In this arrangement, the tank lid <NUM> is axially insertable into and axially removable from the container <NUM>. When the tank lid <NUM> is coupled to the container <NUM>, the tank lid <NUM> and the container <NUM> are secured against lateral movement relative to each other. In an alternative embodiment, the tank lid <NUM> may be hingedly connected to the container <NUM>.

When the recovery tank <NUM> is installed on the platform <NUM> with the rear wall <NUM> of the container <NUM> adjacent the vertical face <NUM> of the front portion <NUM>, the front wall <NUM> of the container <NUM> defines at least a portion of the front side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>, the side walls <NUM> and <NUM> of the container <NUM> define at least a portion of the lateral sides <NUM> and <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>, and the tank lid <NUM> defines at least a portion of the top side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>. The recovery tank <NUM> is configured to be removable from the main housing <NUM> as a single unit, including the container <NUM> and the tank lid <NUM>, as described below.

A rear top portion of the tank lid <NUM> defines a handle recess area <NUM> that is open at its top end and its rear end. The handle recess area <NUM> is configured to receive the support member <NUM> therein when the recovery tank <NUM> is installed on the platform <NUM>. Preferably, the support member <NUM> is received with a clearance fit and the top of the tank lid <NUM> is substantially flush with the top of the support member <NUM> and the top of the housing body <NUM>. Also, the handle recess area <NUM> and the support member <NUM> may cooperate with each other to provide a tilt clearance area between them to facilitate removing the recovery tank <NUM> from the main housing <NUM>. In particular, the handle recess area <NUM> may be provided with an interior bottom surface 218a that may be generally flat or planar, and which is oriented in generally a horizontal direction when the recovery tank <NUM> is installed on the platform <NUM>. A bottom surface 190a of the support member <NUM> is spaced above the handle recess area <NUM> to provide clearance for the top rear end of the recovery tank <NUM> when the recovery tank is tilted forwardly. The bottom surface 190a of the support member <NUM> may be inclined from a front end thereof to a rear end thereof. Thus, the bottom surface 190a of the support member <NUM> may be inclined rearwardly relative to the bottom surface 218a of the handle recess area <NUM>. This arrangement provides a clearance area for the top rear end of the recovery tank <NUM> to be tilted away from the main housing <NUM> when the recovery tank <NUM> pivots forwardly and downwardly about its forward bottom end into a tilted working position. Once in the tilted working position, the recovery tank <NUM> can be conveniently lifted out of tank receptacle <NUM> and removed from the main housing <NUM>.

The tank lid <NUM> further includes the tank latch <NUM> that is manually operable to selectively secure and release the recovery tank <NUM> to the main housing <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the tank latch <NUM> is provided at a front top portion of the tank lid <NUM> forwardly of the handle recess area <NUM>. The tank latch <NUM> may be a spring-loaded push-button type latch having a release button for operating a pawl or other suitable latch actuator 220a to engage and disengage a latch engagement member 220b coupled to the main housing <NUM>. For example, the latch engagement member 220b may be an aperture or a catch, such as a flange or a tab, formed at the front end of the support member <NUM> or at the second end of the handle <NUM>. In one embodiment, the tank latch forms the only connection between the tank lid <NUM> and the main housing <NUM>.

With this arrangement, the tank latch <NUM> secures the tank lid <NUM> to the support member <NUM> when the recovery tank <NUM> is installed on the platform <NUM>. At the same time, the container <NUM> is held firmly in place between the tank lid <NUM> and the platform <NUM> of the housing body <NUM>. As a result, the recovery tank <NUM> can be secured to the main housing <NUM> between the support member <NUM> at the top end of the recovery tank <NUM> and the platform <NUM> at the bottom end of the recovery tank <NUM>. In addition, when carrying the portable extractor <NUM> by grasping the handle <NUM> with one hand, the position of the tank latch <NUM> on the tank lid <NUM> proximate the handle <NUM> permits a user to release the recovery tank <NUM> by depressing the tank latch <NUM> with the thumb of the carrying hand. At the same time, the user can remove the recovery tank <NUM> as a single unit, including the container <NUM> and the tank lid <NUM> which are attached separately to each other, by grasping a recovery tank handle <NUM> (described below) positioned below the tank latch <NUM> with the other hand. In the illustrated embodiment, the tank latch <NUM> does not secure the tank lid <NUM> to the container <NUM> when the recovery tank <NUM> is released from the main housing <NUM>. In one embodiment, the recovery tank is a collection bin having a cover, for example for a dry vacuum or other wet or dry suction cleaner, wherein the cover defines at least a portion of the top side of the portable extractor and the latch connects the cover to the body of the cleaner as disclosed herein.

The recovery tank handle <NUM> preferably is provided on a front surface of the front wall <NUM> of the container <NUM> in order to facilitate removing and carrying the recovery tank <NUM>. The recovery tank handle <NUM> may be integrally formed with the container <NUM> as a single component or may be separately formed from the recovery tank <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the recovery tank handle <NUM> may be a tab or other protrusion integrally formed with the container <NUM> as a single component so as to define a well or opening into which the fingertips of a user may be inserted to remove the recovery tank <NUM> from the main housing <NUM>. More preferably, the position of the recovery tank handle <NUM> on the front wall <NUM> of the container <NUM> is below and proximate the tank latch <NUM> such that a user may remove the recovery tank <NUM> with one hand by sliding fingers into the finger well defined by the recovery tank handle <NUM> and depressing the tank latch <NUM> with the thumb. In other embodiments, the recovery tank handle <NUM> may be separately formed from the container <NUM> or coupled to another part of the container <NUM>.

The bottom wall <NUM> of the container <NUM> defines an air outlet <NUM> through which working air is drawn from the recovery tank <NUM> and a recovery inlet <NUM> through which recovered liquid and dirt enters the recovery tank <NUM>. Each of the air outlet <NUM> and the recovery inlet <NUM> may be in the form of a pipe that extends from a corresponding opening in the bottom wall <NUM> upwardly into the recovery tank <NUM>. When the recovery tank <NUM> is installed on the platform <NUM>, the distal open end <NUM> of the suction port <NUM> sealingly engages the air outlet <NUM> of the container <NUM> to enable fluid communication between the recovery tank <NUM> and the suction source <NUM>, and the distal open end 150a of the hose connector <NUM> sealingly engages the recovery inlet <NUM> to enable fluid communication between the hose <NUM> and the recovery tank <NUM>. For example, a seal may be arranged about each of the distal open end <NUM> of the suction port <NUM> and the distal open end 150a of the hose connector <NUM> for sealing against the bottom wall <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the supply tank <NUM> includes a top wall <NUM>, a bottom wall <NUM> and a sidewall <NUM> that connects the top and bottom walls <NUM> and <NUM>. Optionally, the supply tank <NUM> may be at least partially translucent or transparent to allow the user to easily detect how much cleaning liquid remains in the supply tank <NUM>. The supply tank <NUM> may be formed in a shape that forms one or more handle areas configured to facilitate removing and handling the supply tank <NUM> apart from the housing body <NUM>, for example, using protrusions and/or depressions for grasping the supply tank <NUM>. When the supply tank <NUM> is installed in the recessed supply tank cavity <NUM> with the bottom wall <NUM> of the supply tank <NUM> supported on an interior bottom surface of the recessed supply tank cavity <NUM>, an externally facing portion of the sidewall <NUM> defines at least a portion of a lateral side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM> and the top wall <NUM> of the supply tank <NUM> defines at least a portion of the top side <NUM> of the portable extractor <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A portable extraction cleaner (<NUM>) comprising:
a main housing (<NUM>);
a recovery tank (<NUM>) supported by the main housing (<NUM>), the recovery tank (<NUM>) having portions at least partially defining a front side (<NUM>) and a top side (<NUM>) of the portable extraction cleaner (<NUM>);
a supply tank (<NUM>) spaced rearwardly of the recovery tank (<NUM>) and supported by the main housing (<NUM>), the supply tank (<NUM>) having portions at least partially defining at least one of the top side (<NUM>) and a first lateral side (<NUM>) of the portable extraction cleaner (<NUM>); and
characterised in that a battery pack (<NUM>) is spaced rearwardly of the supply tank (<NUM>) and supported by the main housing (<NUM>) at a rear side (<NUM>) of the portable extraction cleaner (<NUM>) opposite the front side (<NUM>).