Adjustable steering mechanism for radio frequency toy controller

A controller for a radio-controlled toy, wherein the controller is adaptable for left-handed or right-handed use, the controller comprising:

• a housing;
• a right interface positioned on a right side of the housing;
• a left interface positioned on a left side of the housing, the left interface being substantially symmetric to and aligned with the right interface;
• a rotatable element disposed between the right and left interfaces, the rotatable element being in registry with the right and left interfaces;
• and
• a steering wheel having a steering shaft, the steering shaft being adapted to interchangeably engage the rotatable element through either the right interface or the left interface, whereby rotation of the steering wheel, and therefore the rotatable element, operatively imparts steering signals to the radio-controlled toy.

An assembly for providing steering signals to a radio-controlled toy, comprising:

• means for engaging a rotatable element for imparting rotation to the rotatable element, the rotatable element being disposed within a housing;
• means for electromechanically interacting with a steering control circuit disposed within the housing to generate steering signals, such means for electromechanically interacting being operatively connected to the rotatable element;
• and
• means for transmitting the steering signals to the radio-controlled toy to control steering of the radio-controlled toy;
• wherein the rotatable element is interchangeably engageable from either side of the housing.

A controller for a radio-controlled toy, wherein the controller is adaptable for left-handed or right-handed use, the controller comprising:

• a housing;
• a right interface positioned on a right side of the housing;
• a left interface positioned on a left side of the housing, the left interface being substantially symmetric to and aligned with the right interface;
• a rotatable element disposed between the right and left interfaces, the rotatable element being in registry with the right and left interfaces;
• and
• a pair of steering wheels having a common steering shaft, the steering shaft being disposed through the rotatable element and the steering wheels being disposed adjacent to the right and left interfaces, whereby rotation of the steering shaft, and therefore the rotatable element, operatively imparts steering signals to the radio-controlled toy.

An apparatus, comprising:

• means for reconfiguring a radio-controlled toy controller between first and second controller configurations each associated with a corresponding one of left-handed and right-handed user-operation of the controller, wherein the controller reconfiguring means includes:
• a user-operable interface configured for manipulation by a user;
• and
• first and second interfaces corresponding to the first and second controller configurations, respectively, the first and second interfaces disposed on opposing sides of the controller and each configured to detachably couple with the user-operable interface.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a controller configured to remotely control a toy via wireless electronic control signals, the controller including a housing and means for reconfiguring the controller between first and second controller configurations each associated with a corresponding one of left-handed and right-handed user-operation of the controller, wherein the controller reconfiguring means includes:
• first and second substantially symmetric interfaces located in substantial alignment on opposing sides of the housing;
• a rotatable element substantially aligned with and located between the first and second interfaces;
• and
• a shaft configured to engage the rotatable element when disposed in each of first and second orientations corresponding to the first and second controller configurations, respectively, whereby rotation of the shaft imparts rotation to the rotatable element, thereby imparting wireless electronic control signals to the toy.