Abstract: An augmented digital game comprising a plurality of game rules, a plurality of game elements, and a plurality of game component objects each representing a different one of the game elements. The game is implemented at least in part by a computer-implemented method that associates an inactive power with a player of the game, and automatically assigns the inactive power to a selected one of the game component objects. This assignment may occur without any input from the player related to the assignment. The method also determines that an activation event has occurred, and activates the power after determining that the activation event has occurred. The activated power introduces at least one exception to the plurality of rules thereby modifying the game. The method also determines whether the player has won the modified game.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating between virtual agents associated with users of electronic devices connected via at least one network. A first user may instruct an associated first virtual agent to invoke a communication session with a second virtual agent associated with a second user. To invoke the communication session, the first virtual agent may send an outgoing communication to the second virtual agent and the outgoing communication may instruct the second virtual agent to perform at least one action on behalf of the first user. Virtual agents associated with different users may alternatively communicate with each other in the absence of user interaction to perform a collaborative action.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a frame, a hammer connected to the frame and movable between a cocked position and a striking position, the hammer being biased toward the striking position, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable by a user between a forward position and a rearward position, a selector connected to the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position, and a plurality of retention facilities each operable to selectively restrain the hammer in the cocked position, and when the selector is in the second position to enable discharge of the firearm in response to movement of the trigger to the forward position after movement to the rearward position and to enable an additional discharge of the firearm upon release of the trigger to the forward position.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a frame, a hammer connected to the frame and movable between a cocked position and a striking position, the hammer being biased toward the striking position, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable by a user between a forward position and a rearward position, a selector connected to the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position, and a plurality of retention facilities each operable to selectively restrain the hammer in the cocked position, and when the selector is in the second position to enable discharge of the firearm in response to movement of the trigger to the forward position after movement to the rearward position and to enable an additional discharge of the firearm upon release of the trigger to the forward position.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a hammer, a trigger element, a sear, a selector, and a disconnector assembly, the disconnector assembly operable when the selector is in a first position to retain the hammer in the cocked position in response to release of the trigger element to the rest position subsequent to discharge of the firearm by pulling the trigger element, and the disconnector assembly operable when the selector is in a second position to release the hammer to the striking position in response to release of the trigger element to the rest position subsequent to discharge of the firearm by pulling the trigger element, such that the firearm discharges once per cycle of the trigger element when the selector is in the first position, and fires once for each forward or rearward motion of the trigger element when the selector is in the second position.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a hammer, a trigger element, a sear, a selector, and a disconnector assembly, the disconnector assembly operable when the selector is in a first position to retain the hammer in the cocked position in response to release of the trigger element to the rest position subsequent to discharge of the firearm by pulling the trigger element, and the disconnector assembly operable when the selector is in a second position to release the hammer to the striking position in response to release of the trigger element to the rest position subsequent to discharge of the firearm by pulling the trigger element, such that the firearm discharges once per cycle of the trigger element when the selector is in the first position, and fires once for each forward or rearward motion of the trigger element when the selector is in the second position.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a frame, a hammer connected to the frame and movable between a cocked position and a striking position, the hammer being biased toward the striking position, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable by a user between a forward position and a rearward position, a selector connected to the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position, a disconnector having a hammer engagement facility adapted to selectably engage the hammer, a disconnector control element movable between a first control position and a second control position, the disconnector being operably engaged to the disconnector control element, the disconnector operable to move in a first range of motion when the disconnector control element is in the first control position, and in a second range of motion when the disconnector control element is in the second control position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating between virtual agents associated with users of electronic devices connected via at least one network. A first user may instruct an associated first virtual agent to invoke a communication session with a second virtual agent associated with a second user. To invoke the communication session, the first virtual agent may send an outgoing communication to the second virtual agent and the outgoing communication may instruct the second virtual agent to perform at least one action on behalf of the first user. Virtual agents associated with different users may alternatively communicate with each other in the absence of user interaction to perform a collaborative action.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a frame, a hammer connected to the frame and movable between a cocked position and a striking position, the hammer being biased toward the striking position, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable by a user between a forward position and a rearward position, a selector connected to the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position, a disconnector having a hammer engagement facility adapted to selectably engage the hammer, a disconnector control element movable between a first control position and a second control position, the disconnector being operably engaged to the disconnector control element, the disconnector operable to move in a first range of motion when the disconnector control element is in the first control position, and in a second range of motion when the disconnector control element is in the second control position.

Abstract: Trigger-cycled firearms have a frame, a barrel, a bolt assembly connected to the frame in registration with the barrel and operable to reciprocate between a retracted position and a forward battery position, a trigger lever connected to the frame and operable to move between a forward rest position and a rearward actuated position, and the trigger lever operably connected to the bolt to move the bolt from the forward battery position to the retracted position and to release the bolt to the forward battery position and discharge the firearm in response to movement of the trigger lever from the forward rest position to the rearward actuated position when the bolt is in the forward position. There may be a connector bar pivotally connected to the frame and operably engaged to the bolt assembly and to the trigger lever. The connector bar may be slidably connected to the bolt assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for communicating between virtual agents associated with users of electronic devices connected via at least one network. A first user may instruct an associated first virtual agent to invoke a communication session with a second virtual agent associated with a second user. To invoke the communication session, the first virtual agent may send an outgoing communication to the second virtual agent and the outgoing communication may instruct the second virtual agent to perform at least one action on behalf of the first user. Virtual agents associated with different users may alternatively communicate with each other in the absence of user interaction to perform a collaborative action.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a frame, a hammer connected to the frame and movable between a cocked position and a striking position, the hammer being biased toward the striking position, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable by a user between a forward position and a rearward position, a selector connected to the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position, a plurality of retention facilities each operable to selectively restrain the hammer in the cocked position, and when the selector is in the first position to enable discharge of the firearm in response to movement of the trigger to the rearward position, and when the selector is in the second position to enable discharge of the firearm in response to movement of the trigger to the forward position after movement to the rearward position.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a frame, a hammer connected to the frame and movable between a cocked position and a striking position, the hammer being biased toward the striking position, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable by a user between a forward position and a rearward position, a selector connected to the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position, a plurality of retention facilities each operable to selectively restrain the hammer in the cocked position, and when the selector is in the first position to enable discharge of the firearm in response to movement of the trigger to the rearward position, and when the selector is in the second position to enable discharge of the firearm in response to movement of the trigger to the forward position after movement to the rearward position.

Abstract: Trigger-cycled firearms have a frame, a barrel, a bolt assembly connected to the frame in registration with the barrel and operable to reciprocate between a retracted position and a forward battery position, a trigger lever connected to the frame and operable to move between a forward rest position and a rearward actuated position, and the trigger lever operably connected to the bolt to move the bolt from the forward battery position to the retracted position and to release the bolt to the forward battery position and discharge the firearm in response to movement of the trigger lever from the forward rest position to the rearward actuated position when the bolt is in the forward position. There may be a connector bar pivotally connected to the frame and operably engaged to the bolt assembly and to the trigger lever. The connector bar may be slidably connected to the bolt assembly.

Abstract: Pistols with frame inserts have a frame having a grip, the frame having spaced apart upper sidewall portions having upper edges defining a slide interface plane, the upper sidewall portions being planar elements each having inner faces facing each other and exterior faces facing away from each other, each upper sidewall portion defining a side opening adjacent to the slide interface plane and having a perimeter spaced apart from the slide interface plane, a frame insert including pistol action components connected to the frame, and the frame insert having opposed insert sidewalls, each frame insert sidewall having a selected portion registered with and occupying a respective one of the side openings of the frame. The frame may define a cavity width between selected portions of the inner faces adjacent to the frame side openings, and wherein the frame insert has a width at the selected portion greater than the cavity width.

Abstract: An augmented digital game comprising a plurality of game rules, a plurality of game elements, and a plurality of game component objects each representing a different one of the game elements. The game is implemented at least in part by a computer-implemented method that associates an inactive power with a player of the game, and automatically assigns the inactive power to a selected one of the game component objects. This assignment may occur without any input from the player related to the assignment. The method also determines that an activation event has occurred, and activates the power after determining that the activation event has occurred. The activated power introduces at least one exception to the plurality of rules thereby modifying the game. The method also determines whether the player has won the modified game.

Abstract: Trigger-cycled firearms have a frame, a barrel, a bolt assembly connected to the frame in registration with the barrel and operable to reciprocate between a retracted position and a forward battery position, a trigger lever connected to the frame and operable to move between a forward rest position and a rearward actuated position, and the trigger lever operably connected to the bolt to move the bolt from the forward battery position to the retracted position and to release the bolt to the forward battery position and discharge the firearm in response to movement of the trigger lever from the forward rest position to the rearward actuated position when the bolt is in the forward position. There may be a connector bar pivotally connected to the frame and operably engaged to the bolt assembly and to the trigger lever. The connector bar may be slidably connected to the bolt assembly.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a frame, a hammer connected to the frame and movable between a cocked position and a striking position, the hammer being biased toward the striking position, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable by a user between a forward position and a rearward position, a selector connected to the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position, a disconnector having a hammer engagement facility adapted to selectably engage the hammer, a disconnector control element movable between a first control position and a second control position, the disconnector being operably engaged to the disconnector control element, the disconnector operable to move in a first range of motion when the disconnector control element is in the first control position, and in a second range of motion when the disconnector control element is in the second control position.

Abstract: A method for refurbishing a wind turbine includes terminating use of an existing uptower electrical system of the wind turbine. The method also includes installing a new uptower electrical system for the wind turbine at an uptower location of the wind turbine. Further, the method includes providing an electrical adaptor at an uptower location for connecting the new uptower electrical system with an existing downtower electrical system. Moreover, the method includes electrically connecting the electrical adaptor between the existing downtower electrical system and the new uptower electrical system.

Abstract: Trigger groups for semi-automatic firearms have a frame, a hammer connected to the frame and movable between a cocked position and a striking position, the hammer being biased toward the striking position, a trigger element connected to the frame and movable by a user between a forward position and a rearward position, a selector connected to the frame and movable between at least a first position and a second position, and a plurality of retention facilities each operable to selectively restrain the hammer in the cocked position, and when the selector is in the second position to enable discharge of the firearm in response to movement of the trigger to the forward position after movement to the rearward position and to enable an additional discharge of the firearm upon release of the trigger to the forward position.