GB2580981A

GB2580981A - Gardening tool

Info

Publication number: GB2580981A
Application number: GB1901491.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Thomas Long Stephen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-04
Filing date: 2019-02-04
Publication date: 2020-08-05
Also published as: GB201901491D0

Abstract

The garden hand tool 200 comprises a handle 210, a vibration unit 211 and blade 220 coupled to the handle 10. The blade is vibrated, when in use, via an operable coupling between the blade and the vibration unit. The tool may comprise a power unit 212 such as a battery and a load sensor 216 which measures a force acting on the blade. The tool may further comprise a controller for receiving load signals from the load sensor and to determine if the force is greater than a threshold. The controller may control a switch which connects the battery to the vibration unit to vibrate the blade, the controller controlling the switch in response to signals from the load sensor. The garden hand tool reduces effort in gardening tasks.

Description

GARDENING TOOL

Field of the invention

The field of the invention is gardening hand tools.

Background

Gardening is a popular past time, particularly among the elderly population. The use of garden hand tools, such as trowels, forks, cultivators, spades, spikes, dibbers, and shovels is common in gardening. Many garden hand tools are designed to be used with a single hand, for example a trowel or a single hand fork or a dibber. Making effective use of such tools may be difficult when the ground, such as soil or dirt, is compacted, sun-baked, dry, frozen, or in another non-optimal condition to be worked. It may also be difficult for the user to make effective user of such tools when the user is weak or has low strength and the soil is hard.

A solution to this problem has been to make sharp-edged garden hand tools to cut through compacted or hard soil. However, sharp hand tools come with obvious dangers.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gardening hand tool comprising: a handle configured to be held by a user; a vibration unit; and a blade configured to couple to the handle; wherein the vibration unit is operably coupled to the blade and is configured to vibrate the blade in use.

The blade may be coupled to the handle.

A vibrating blade (for example a vibrating trowel) parts soil more easily than a non-vibrating blade and may be easier to use with hard soil.

The blade may vibrate, when in use, in at least one of the following modes: an in-and-out mode, a side-to-side mode, a forwards-and-back, and a partially- :, rotating mode.

The gardening hand tool may be at least one of: a vibrating gardening digging tool, a vibrating gardening trowel, a vibrating gardening fork, a vibrating gardening cultivator, a vibrating gardening spike, a vibrating gardening dibber, a vibrating gardening spade, a vibrator gardening shovel, a vibrating gardening weeding tool, a vibrating planting tool, a vibrating floriculture tool.

The handle may be configured to be held by only one hand of the user in use.

The handle may be easy to hold and ergonomic for the user when in use..

The gardening hand tool may have a mass of less than: 1.5 kg, 1.0 kg, 0.5 kg, 0.4 kg or 0.3 kg. The gardening hand tool may be lightweight. This may be advantageous to a user who is physically weak, and incapable to holding a larger and heavier object for a long period of time. An example of a user who is physically weak in this context may be an elderly person who enjoys gardening.

The gardening hand tool may further comprise a power unit configured to power the vibration unit.

The power unit may comprise at least one of a battery, a rechargeable battery, a power adaptor, an electrical input port, an external power connector, a power control unit, a switch, a controller.

The battery may comprise at least one of: an electrical power source battery, or a mechanical power source battery such as a spring capable of being wound up by a user to store energy.

A possible advantage of the battery is that the battery may provide power for vibrating the blade at an amplitude of oscillation and/or at a frequency of oscillation that is/are greater than would be possible if the battery were not present.

The gardening hand tool may further comprise a load sensor.

The load sensor may be configured to measure a force acting on the blade. The force on the blade may be provided by the user forcing the blade into compacted material, such as hard soil, when in use.

The gardening hand tool may further comprise a controller adapted to receive load signals from the load sensor and to determine if the force is greater than a threshold. The threshold may be a predetermined load threshold, above which it may be beneficial for the blade to vibrate in order aid the user in breaking-up compacted material. The power unit may comprise the controller. The controller may comprise logic circuitry.

The controller may be configured to control a switch which, in use, connects the battery to the vibration unit to cause the vibration unit to vibrate the blade, the controller being adapted to control the switch in response to signals from the load sensor.

The load sensor may comprise a piezoelectric load sensor. The piezoelectric load sensor may be small in size and lightweight.

The vibration unit may comprise a piezoelectric vibration unit, or a mechanical mechanism for causing vibration such as a rotating cam.

The gardening hand tool may be able to be used in a vibrating mode and a non-vibrating mode. The user may wish to use the gardening tool in the vibrating mode during only the completion of specific tasks.

A fastener may be provided to secure the blade to the handle. The blade may comprise a tang or shank portion. The handle may comprise a tang socket. A tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism may be provided to secure the blade to the handle. The tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism may be configured to couple (and decouple) the tang portion to (and from) the tang socket.

The blade may be configured to be coupled to and decoupled from the handle (i.e. it may be removable from the handle).

The handle may be configured to be coupled to and decoupled from each of a plurality of blades so as to be able to interchange the blade that is coupled to the handle. The blade may be interchanged. A second blade may be provided. A plurality of blade may be provided.

The vibration unit may be configured to be decoupled from the tool. The vibration unit may be removed and/or replaced from the gardening tool. The vibration unit mat be replaced if damaged, for example.

The gardening hand tool may further comprise a switch, the switch may be configured to be communicably coupled to the power unit so as to power or depower the vibration unit. The switch may be configured to depower the vibration unit, for example, when vibration of the blade is not required, the force on the blade is below the threshold, or when the blade is decoupled from the handle.

The switch may be configured to allow vibration of the vibration unit when the switch is in an ON state and to prevent vibration of the vibration unit when the switch is in an OFF state.

The switch may comprise a kill-switch. The kill-switch may be configured to override the controller when operated (by the user).

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a handle unit for a gardening hand tool comprising: a handle configured to be held by a user; a vibration unit; and wherein the handle is configured to couple to, and decouple from, a blade, and wherein the vibration unit is configured to operably couple to the blade and is configured to vibrate the blade in use.

Optional features of the gardening hand tool set out in the first aspect are also considered to be applicable to and disclosed in relation to the handle unit for a gardening hand tool of the second aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a IS gardening hand tool kit comprising: a handle configured to be held by a user; a vibration unit; and a plurality of blades; wherein the handle is configured to operably couple to, and decouple from, a blade of the plurality of blades, and wherein the vibration unit is configured to operably couple to the blade and is configured to vibrate the blade in use.

Optional features of the gardening hand tool set out in the first aspect, and the handle unit for a gardening hand tool set out in the second aspect, are also considered to be applicable to and disclosed in relation to the gardening hand tool kit of the third aspect.

Thus, the invention provides a powered handheld gardening tool that has an improved efficiency of performance (such as digging performance) over existing non-powered tools. Tools in accordance with the invention can be lightweight, cheap and easy to manufacture, and are capable of being effectively used with a single hand of a user and safe to use. They are capable of storing energy when not in use.

US Patent No. 4,730,860 discloses a common shovel that is equipped with a spring activated vibrator. The vibrator is mounted between the handle and the blade. A downward thrust of the handle causes the blade to vibrate. This vibration increases the digging efficiency of the shovel.

Other vibrating tools, such as a vibrating plastering and rendering trowel are known, such as that disclosed in US 7,465,121 (B1). This is not a gardening trowel and is not designed to cut through soil. A seed-dispensing vibrating hand tool is also known, such as the Seedmaster ® Vibrating Hand Seeder.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is described in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a vibrating garden hand tool; Figure 2 illustrates a second example embodiment of a vibrating garden hand tool; Figure 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a vibrating garden hand tool kit; Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example embodiment of a modular vibrating tool; and Figure 5 illustrates a third example embodiment of a vibrating garden hand tool.

Detailed Description of Examples of the Invention

Figure 1 illustrates a first example embodiment of a vibrating garden hand tool 100, which in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is a vibrating gardening trowel The vibrating hand trowel 100 comprises a handle 10, or handle unit 10. Handle unit 10 may be held by a user during operation of the tool. Only one of the user's hands is needed to hold handle unit 10 in order to operate the trowel. Handle unit 10 comprises vibration unit 11, power unit 12, and tang socket 17.

Vibration unit 11 is operationally coupled to power unit 12. Vibration unit 11 is mechanically coupled to tang socket 17. Handle unit 10 has a compartment, recess, or housing 18 within which power unit 12 is disposed.

Vibration unit 11 is a piezo-electric vibration unit. The piezo-electric vibration unit is small in size and lightweight.

Alternatively, vibration unit 11 may comprise a vibration motor. The vibration motor may comprise a shaft, and a mass coupled to the shaft, for example a cam or offset projection.

Power unit 12 comprises an electrical battery. In this example, the battery is removable and replaceable by removing an end cap 19a to gain access to a battery chamber 19b. Power unit 12 may comprise a lithium ion battery. Power unit 12 may comprise a rechargeable battery. Power unit 12 may be configured to store energy for later use by vibration unit 11. For example, power unit 12 may be configured to store energy when not in use.

Power unit 12 may comprise a power control unit 33. The power control unit 33 may be communicably coupled to vibration unit 11.

Alternatively, power unit 12 may comprise a mechanical storage device that is manually operated be the user to 'charge' the mechanical storage device. A clockwork/wind-up spring mechanism may the battery 12, in which case a mechanism for charging the mechanical battery could be provided, such as a winding key. The mechanical storage device and vibration unit 11 may be integrated with the handle (i.e. not easily removed from it).

The vibrating hand trowel 100 comprises trowel blade 20, or blade unit 20. The trowel blade unit is, for example, suitable for gardening, digging, titillating soil, planting, or other activity. Blade unit 20 comprises tang portion 21 and blade portion 22. Tang socket 17 of handle 10 is configured to receive tang portion 21 of blade unit 20. Tang socket 17 of handle 10 couples the tang portion 21 of blade unit 20 to the handle 10. Tang socket 17 of handle 10 couples tang portion 21 of blade unit 20 to vibration unit 11 of the handle 10. The coupling of the tang socket 17 to the tang portion 21 may be permanent, or may allow for decoupling of tang socket 17 from tang portion 2lwhen blade unit 20 is no longer required by the user. A release mechanism, for example release button 31, may be provided to release tang portion 21 from the socket 17. The socket 17 may have a tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism 32 which is releasable, via release button 32 for example, to allow insertion and removal of the tang portion 21.

The tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism 32 may be configured to secure the tang portion 21 in tang socket 17. The a tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism 32 may comprise, for example, a fastener, a clip, a locking mechanism, a pin, a plate, or a hole. Tang socket 17 may comprise a male coupling portion, female coupling portion, or other type of coupling portion. Tang portion 21 may comprise a coupling portion corresponding to the male coupling portion, female coupling portion, or other type of coupling portion of tang socket 21.

Alternatively, tang socket 17 and tang portion 21 may be permanently or semi-permanently coupled. Tang socket 17 and tang portion 21 may be bonded together. The bonding may be achieved, for example, by adhesive, welding, screws or other mechanical fastener.

Vibration unit 11 may be configured to provide vibrations in a single plane or in a plurality of directions. The vibrations may comprise a 1-dimensional vibration, a 2-dimensional vibration, a 3-dimensional vibration, or a combination thereof The vibrations may comprise an oscillation along an x-, a y-, or a z-axis, or combination thereof. The vibrations may comprise a radial, a polar, or a azimuthal vibration, or combination thereof In some embodiments, vibration unit 11 is configured to provide a vibration mode(s) of the blade unit 20 in which the blade unit 20 moves in-and-out and/or side-to-side with respect to the handle unit 10.

The vibrations may comprise an oscillation frequency in the range of 10020000 cycles per minute.

The vibrations may comprise an oscillation in the range of 1000-5000 cycles per minute. In some embodiments, the vibrations comprise an oscillation of substantially 2500 cycles per minute.

IS Alternatively, the vibrations may comprise an oscillation in the range of 15000- 20000 cycles per minute. In some embodiments, the vibrations comprise an oscillation of substantially 17250 cycles per minute.

Vibrating hand trowel 100 may comprise a vibration mode and a non-vibration mode. Vibrating tool 100 may be configured to operate in the same way as a corresponding traditional tool, when operated in the non-vibrating mode. To switch between the vibration mode and the non-vibration mode, a kill-switch 31 is provided that is configured to disable/electrical decouple the battery when the kill-switch is operated.

A vibrating tool is advantageous. For example, if the vibrating tool is a vibrating garden trowel, the vibrating tool may be configured to provide vibrations which may allow the user to penetrate compacted or hard soil more easily than would be possible with a corresponding non-vibrating tool. One-handed use of the vibrating garden hand trowel may provide enough physical force to break-up compacted or hard soil.

The vibrating tool may produce noise, such as audible noise in the vicinity of the vibrating tool, when the vibrating tool is in a vibration mode, of less than or equal to 84dB. This may be advantageous to a user that is sensitive or easily irritated by noise, particularly buzzing noises.

Figure 2 illustrates a second example embodiment of a vibrating garden hand trowel 200, which is similar to vibrating hand trowel 100. Handle, or handle unit, 210 of vibrating hand trowel 200 comprises vibration unit 211, power unit 212, and tang socket 217. The vibrating garden hand trowel 200 may also comprise a stopper member 230.

Handle unit 210 of vibrating hand trowel 200 also comprises power input port 213, power switch 214, tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism 215, and load sensor 216. The skilled person will appreciate that these optional and/or additional IS features may be omitted, if desired.

Power input port 213 may be configured to couple to an external power supply.

Power input port 213 may be configured to couple to power unit 212. The external power supply may, for example, be mains electricity. The external power source may provide direct power to vibrating hand trowel 200. The external power source may be used to charge a rechargeable battery of power unit 212.

Power unit 212 may comprise a power control unit 233. The power control unit 233 may be communicably coupled to vibration unit 11 Power switch 214 is coupled to power unit 212. Power switch 214 is configured to allow blade unit 220 to vibrate when an ON state is actuated. Power switch 214 is configured to prevent blade unit 220 from vibrating when an OFF state is actuated. Power switch 214 is operated manually by a user. In some embodiments, a control (which could be the same control as the power switch) is provided to allow the frequency, amplitude, and/or type of vibration to be varied manually or automatically.

Tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism 215 comprises a fastening unit to secure tang portion 21 in position. The tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism 215 may be configured to secure the tang portion 221 in tang socket 217. The a tanggripping/-fixing mechanism 215 may comprise, for example, a fastener, a clip, a locking mechanism, a pin, a plate, or a hole. Tang socket 217 may comprise a male coupling portion, female coupling portion, or other type of coupling portion. Tang portion 221 may comprise a coupling portion corresponding to the male coupling portion, female coupling portion, or other type of coupling portion of tang socket 221.

Stopper member 230 may comprise at least one of: a bearing, a bung, a bushing, a fastener, a seal, a damper, a sound damper, a force sensor, a pressure sensor.

Stopper member 230 may comprise a sound damper that reduces the sound of the vibrating hand trowel 200 when in use, and may provide a less irritating, and reduced volume sound, for the user.

Load sensor 216 may be proximate to tang socket 217 and to vibration unit 211.

Load sensor 216 may be operably/communicably coupled to power unit 212. Load sensor 216 is configured to measure a load on the blade unit 220. A force on blade unit 220 with a component substantially in the direction of the handle unit 210 may be registered by load sensor 216. When load sensor 216 measures a load greater than a predetermined load threshold, load sensor 216 communicates with the power unit 212, by sending a command to power unit 212 to initiate the vibration mode. For example, as the user drives the tool into the ground, the force on blade portion 220 may increase, and the vibration mode may be initiated to ease to breaking up of compacted or hard soil.

When the force measured by load sensor 216 is equal to or greater than the predetermined load threshold, load sensor 216 is configured to initiate vibration by sending a command to the power unit 212 to power vibration unit 211. This may aid the user, for example, in driving blade unit 220 further into the ground, loosening soil or dirt, or cutting the ground using a lateral action. Load sensor 216 may allow the vibration mode to be initiated only when vibration is required or when vibration would be beneficial.

When the force measured by the load sensor is below the predetermined load threshold, the non-vibration mode is maintained, or initiated (if previously in a vibration mode). The force measured by load sensor 216 may be below the predetermined load threshold, for example, when vibrating hand trowel 200 is not in use and/or when the user removes blade unit 220 from the ground (not penetrating the ground). Therefore, the inclusion of load sensor 216 may allow the overall power consumed by vibrating hand trowel 200, to be reduced by providing power only when required.

The load threshold for stopping vibrations may be different (e.g. lower) than the load threshold for starting vibrations. This may prevent the hand tool stopping vibrations when it encounters a relatively loose patch of soil. Additionally or alternatively, the vibrations may continue for at least a set time before they stop, again allowing the tool to continue vibrating if it temporarily encounters a soft patch of soil. The minimum time for vibration could run from the first time the load sensor sees a force at or above the starting threshold, and it could be re-set each time that the load sensor senses a force at or above the threshold.

Vibrating hand trowel 200 may comprise an additional controller. The controller may be configured to analyse data from load sensor 216 and communicate with power unit 212 and/or vibration unit 211. The controller may determine if the force measured by the load sensor is greater than a load threshold. Load sensor 216 may comprise the controller, handle unit 210 may comprise the controller, power unit 212 may comprise the controller, or vibration unit 211 may comprise the controller.

Power switch 214 may be configured to allow load sensor 216 and/or power unit 212 to be overridden manually be the user. This may be advantageous, for example, when the user knows that a large rock has been encountered during digging.

Figure 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a vibrating garden hand tool kit 300. Vibrating tool kit 300 comprises handle, or handle unit, 310 and plurality of blade units (blade unit 320, blade unit 330, blade unit 340).

Handle, or handle unit, 310 of vibrating tool kit 300 may be the same as or substantially similar to, or configured in the same or similar way as, handle units 10, 210 described in relation to Figures 1 or 2. Blade units 320, 330, and 340 of vibrating tool kit 300 may be the same as or substantially similar to, or configured in the same or similar way as, blade units 20, 220 described in relation to Figures 1 or 2.

Handle unit 310 of vibrating tool kit 300 comprises power unit 312, a vibrating unit 311, a tang socket 317, a release mechanism 315, and a tang-gripping/fixing mechanism 314.

The release mechanism, for example release button 315, may be provided to release tang portions of blade units 320, 330, 340 from the socket 317. The socket 317 has a tang-gripping/-fixing mechanism 314 which is releasable, via release button 315 for example, to allow insertion and removal of the tang portions. Handle unit 310 may comprise optional and/or additional features, such as those in other embodiments.

Blade unit 320 is a trowel blade unit. Blade unit 330 is comprise a fork blade unit. Blade unit 340 is a cultivator blade unit. The skilled person will appreciate that many other types of blade units are possible, and the embodiment shown in Figure 3 is not attended to be limiting on the scope of this disclosure.

Tang socket 317 of vibrating tool kit 300 is configured to couple to and decouple from a tang portion of each of blade units 320, 330, 340. Blade units 320, 330, 340 can be easily interchanged by the user. For example, the user may wish to dig using a trowel so blade unit 320 may be initially selected and coupled to handle unit 310; the user may then consider a fork to be more appropriate for the task at hand, in which case blade unit 320 may be decoupled from handle unit 310 and blade unit 330 may then be coupled to handle unit 310.

Handle unit 310 may be coupled to at least one of blade units 320, 330, and 340 to form a vibrating tool similar to the vibrating tools 100, 200. Handle unit 310 and blade unit 320 form a vibrating trowel. Handle unit 310 and blade unit 330 form a vibrating fork. Handle unit 310 and blade unit 340 form a vibrating cultivator.

A vibrating tool kit is advantageous because the user may select the most appropriate blade unit for a particular task. It may be advantageous to provide one handle unit and a plurality of blades to the user, rather than simply a plurality of non-interchangeable vibrating tools. For example, a single handle unit (comprising a single vibration unit and a single power unit) may be comprised in a vibrating tool kit, which may be cheaper and quicker to produce than a plurality of vibrating tools. A vibrating tool kit may allow a consumer to effectively possess a plurality of vibrating tools at a low cost.

Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of an example embodiment of a modular vibrating tool 400. Modular vibrating tool 400 comprises handle, or handle unit 410, vibration unit 411, tang socket 417, and blade unit 420. Handle unit 410 comprises socket 418.

Vibration unit 411 is configured to be received in and removably coupled to socket 418 of handle unit 410. Tang socket 417 is configured to be received in and removably coupled to socket 418 of handle unit 410. Socket 418 may comprise a fastening unit 4146 configured to couple (and decouple) vibration unit 411 and/or tang socket 417 to (and from) handle unit 410. A release mechanism 414a may be provided to release the vibration unit 411 and/or tang socket 417 from socket 418 of the handle unit 410.

Tang socket 417 may be coupled to socket 418 of handle unit 410 independently of vibration unit 411. Vibration unit 411 can be omitted when the vibration mode is not required by the user. Vibration unit 411 may be removed. Vibration unit 411 may be replaced, after damage and/or failure of vibration unit 411, for example.

Tang portion 421 may be configured to be received in and removably coupled to tang socket 417, using fastening unit 4156, and may be releasable therefrom using release mechanism 415a. Tang socket 417 may comprise a fastening unit configured to couple (and decouple) tang portion 421 to (and from) tang socket Vibration unit 411 and tang socket 417 may be permanently coupled together. Vibration unit 411 and tang socket 417 may be replaced by insert 402. Insert 20 402 may not be configured to vibrate. Insert 402 may be selected when the vibration mode is not required by the user.

Figure 5 illustrates a third example embodiment of a vibrating garden tool hand 500. Vibrating garden hand tool 500 comprises a handle grip 502, shaft 504, vibration tool unit 510, and blade unit 520.

Vibrating garden hand tool 500, in the example embodiment shown in Figure 5, is a vibrating spade. Vibrating garden hand tool 500 may comprise a length that is substantially longer than vibrating garden hand trowels 100 and 200.

Vibrating garden hand tool 500 may be configured to be operated by a user using two hands.

Shaft 504 is coupled to handle grip 502. Shaft 504 is coupled to vibration tool unit 510. Vibration tool unit 510 is coupled to blade unit 520. Vibration tool unit 510 may comprise substantially similar or the same features as handles, or handles units, 10, 210, and 310.

Shaft 504 and handle grip 502 may comprise a non-vibrating shaft and handle grip, respectively.

The example embodiments shown in Figures 1-5, and described in more detail herein, are intended to be examples and are not intended to be limiting.

Combinations and/or omissions of features of two or more embodiments are considered to be disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A gardening hand tool comprising: a handle configured to be held by a user; a vibration unit; and a blade configured to couple to the handle; wherein the vibration unit is configured to operably couple to the blade and configured to vibrate the blade in use.
2. The gardening hand tool of claim 1, which is at least one of: a vibrating gardening digging tool, a vibrating gardening trowel, a vibrating gardening fork, a vibrating gardening cultivator, a vibrating gardening spike, a vibrating gardening dibber, a vibrating gardening spade, a vibrator gardening shovel, a vibrating gardening weeding tool, a vibrating planting tool, a vibrating floriculture tool.
3. The gardening hand tool of claim 1 or of claim 2, wherein the handle is configured to be held by only one hand of the user in use.
4. The gardening hand tool of claim 1 or of claim 2 or of claim 3, wherein the vibrating hand tool has a mass of less than: 1.5 kg, 1.0 kg, 0.5 kg, 0.4 kg or 0.3 kg.
5. The gardening hand tool of any preceding claim, further comprising a power unit configured to power the vibration unit.
6. The gardening hand tool of claim 5, wherein the power unit comprises at least one of: a battery, a rechargeable battery, a power adaptor, an electrical input port, an external power connector, a power control unit, a switch, a controller.
7. The gardening hand tool of claim 6, wherein the battery comprises at least one of an electrical power source battery, or a mechanical power source battery such as a spring capable of being wound up by a user to store energy.
8. The gardening hand tool of claim 7, further comprising a load sensor.
9. The gardening hand tool of claim 8, wherein the load sensor is configured to measure a force acting on the blade.
10. The gardening hand tool of claim 9, further comprising a controller adapted to receive load signals from the load sensor and to determine if the force is greater than a threshold.
11. The gardening hand tool of claim 10 wherein the controller is configured to control a switch which, in use, connects the battery to the vibration unit to cause the vibration unit to vibrate the blade, the controller being adapted to control the switch in response to signals from the load sensor.
12. The gardening hand tool of any of claims 7-H, wherein the load sensor comprises a piezoelectric load sensor.
13. The gardening hand tool of any preceding claim, wherein the vibration unit comprises a piezoelectric vibration unit, or a mechanical mechanism for causing vibration such as a rotating cam.
14. The gardening hand tool of any preceding claim, which can be used in a vibrating mode and a non-vibrating mode.
15. The gardening hand tool of any preceding claim, wherein the blade is configured to be coupled to and decoupled from the handle.
16. The gardening hand tool of claim 15, wherein the handle is configured to be coupled to and decoupled from each of a plurality of blades so as to be able to interchange the blade that is coupled to the handle.
17. The gardening hand tool of any preceding claim, wherein the vibration unit is configured to be decoupled from the tool.
18. The gardening hand tool of any preceding claim, further comprising a switch, the switch being configured to be communicably coupled to the power unit so as to power or depower the vibration unit.
19. The gardening hand tool of claim 18, wherein the switch is configured to allow vibration of the vibration unit when the switch is in an ON state and to prevent vibration of the vibration unit when the switch is in an OFF state.
20. The gardening hand tool of any preceding claim, wherein the blade is coupled to the handle.
21. The gardening hand tool of any preceding claim, wherein the vibration unit is operably coupled to the blade and configured to vibrate the blade in use.
22. A handle unit for a gardening hand tool comprising: a handle configured to be held by a user; a vibration unit; and wherein the handle is configured to couple to, and decouple from, a blade, and wherein the vibration unit is configured to operably couple to the blade and is configured to vibrate the blade in use.
23. A gardening hand tool kit comprising: a handle configured to be held by a user; a vibration unit; and a plurality of blades; wherein the handle is configured to operably couple to, and decouple from, a blade of the plurality of blades, and wherein the vibration unit is configured to operably couple to the blade and is configured to vibrate the blade in use.