Abstract: The seat belt retractor comprises a frame; a drum rotatably supported by the frame to wind up the seat belt therearound; an emergency lock mechanism; and a seat belt take-up mechanism including, in particular a coiled spring for applying a take-up force to the seat belt. Since a coiled spring is used to apply a take-up force to the seat belt, the take-up torque can be simply determined by changing the diameter of the coiled spring and the number of turns, without increasing the outer diameter of the coiled spring, thus improving the binding feeling of the seat belt to the driver. Further, the coiled spring is excellent in durability, low in cost and small in size as compared with the conventional flat spiral spring.

Abstract: A universal joint yoke is obtained from a flat blank of sheet metal whose general shape is that of a cruciate form having a circular base and two diametrically opposing small semielliptical extensions. The blank of sheet metal is pressed in a forming apparatus so that the two extensions are bent perpendicularly to the circular base in the same direction with a given angle with respect to the circular base and two ribs or contiguous rib are formed along axes of bending to prevent a springback action of the two extensions which constitute two ear portions of the finished yoke. In addition, recesses are extended along a rear surface(s) of the rib(s) so that fasteners such as bolts and nuts for fastening a rubber coupling constituting a lower joint to a lower shaft of a steering system is nestled into the respective recesses. Both ends of the circular base have holes through which the fasteners for fastening the universal joint yoke to the rubber coupling is inserted.