Braking device with automatic releasability in all operating situations

The invention relates to a braking device for an elevator having a rail-guided elevator car, wherein the braking device has a main body to be secured (generally in floating fashion) to the elevator cabin or counterweight, which, when correctly installed, surrounds a rail and holds a braking member in position on one side of the guide rail and and holds a further braking member on the opposite side of the guide rail, at least one of the braking members being held in its ready position at a distance from the rail with the aid of a switchable holding magnet, against the force of an independent actuator, in such a way that the braking member, when the holding magnet is switched by the actuator, is pushed away from the holding magnet and against the rail, so that an air gap between the holding magnet and the braking member is created or becomes larger. The braking device is designed such that the braking member, when the elevator car is travelling (more than just negligibly) at the time when the braking member comes to bear against the rail, is retracted by itself between the main body and the rail, and such that the holding magnet is equipped with an air gap reducing means, by means of which the air gap between the holding magnet and the braking member not yet retracted between the rail and the main body can be reduced or eliminated, in such a way that the holding magnet, as soon as it is switched over accordingly, holds the braking member again magnetically.