Safety brake device and safety brake method

The invention relates to a method and a device for a safety brake for an elevator (1) comprising an upright guide rail (3). The safety brake device (4) has a housing (5) with brake elements (6, 7) which are arranged on both sides of the guide rail (3) and which can be moved along the guide rail (3), a safety restraint system (8) on both sides between the housing (5) and the brake elements (6, 7), and a brake element (6, 7) actuation device (9) which can be clamped and locked and which unlocks and declamps in response to a trigger event and brings the brake elements (6, 7) into braking engagement with the guide rail (3). Upon declamping, the actuation device (9) develops a feed force (F) and feed movement oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis (15) of the guide rail (3), said movement bringing the brake elements (6, 7) on both sides into engagement with the guide rail (3) from a laterally spaced starting position. The brake elements (6, 7) are entrained on the guide rail (3) by means of frictional contact and go into the safety restraint system (8), wherein the actuation device (9) is moved back into its starting position and is clamped and locked by the brake elements (6, 7) located in the safety restraint system (8).