An exhaust muffler with a single-wall shell having a first end and a second end
features a plurality of embossments formed on the shell and extending from the
first end of the muffler to the second end of the muffler. The embossments are
arranged in a pattern such that any straight line extending from the first end
to the second end intersects at least one of the embossments, thereby imparting
increased stiffness to the muffler shell. Each of the embossments preferably have
an elliptical shape and are arranged in rows extending substantially parallel to
a longitudinal axis of the muffler. The embossments in any given row are rotated
ninety degrees from the embossments in preceding and succeeding rows and are spaced
to provide an interlocking pattern.
