Reinforced rifle stock

Abstract

A rifle stock is configured to receive a barreled action having an attached barrel and a lower surface which also has a downward protrusion. A shell having an exterior surface defines an exterior and an interior of the stock. The shell has opposed sidewalls extending from a bottom portion and an intermediate portion. A span element which is preferably a planar element and at least in part encompassed by fill material spans between the opposed sidewalls. The span includes a structural element that connects to the shell, a transverse intermediate portion, vertical end portions, and a forward edge for a protrusion receptacle which is defined in part by fill material in the stock and in part by the span element. The protrusion receptacle receives a downward extending protrusion of the rifle action. The fill may comprise rigid foam, composite materials, carbon fiber, or combinations of these materials.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A rifle stock configured to receive a barreled action having an attached barrel and a lower surface,
 and having a downward protrusion,   the stock comprising a shell having an exterior surface defining an exterior of the stock and having an interior;   the shell having a bottom portion and opposed sidewalls extending from the bottom portion;   the shell having opposed ends and an intermediate portion; a fill material at least partly occupying the interior, and   a span element at least in part encompassed by the fill and connected to the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The rifle stock of  claim 1 , wherein the span element spans between opposed sidewalls. 
     
     
         3 . The rifle stock of  claim 1 , wherein the span has a structural connection to the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The rifle stock of  claim 1 , wherein the span is a planar element. 
     
     
         5 . The rifle stock of  claim 1 , wherein the span has a transverse intermediate portion and vertical end portions. 
     
     
         6 . The rifle stock of  claim 1 , wherein stock defines a protrusion receptacle configured to receive the protrusion, and wherein the span in part defines the protrusion receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The rifle stock of  claim 6 , wherein the span has a forward edge at the protrusion receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The rifle stock of  claim 6 , wherein the protrusion receptacle is defined in part by the fill material and in part by the span element. 
     
     
         9 . The rifle stock of  claim 1 , wherein the fill is a rigid foam. 
     
     
         10 . The rifle stock of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is formed of a composite material. 
     
     
         11 . The rifle stock of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is formed of carbon fiber material.