Safety brake device and safety brake method

A method and device for safety braking an elevator having an upright guide rail wherein the device includes a housing having braking elements on both sides of and being movable along the guide rail, a safety restraint on both sides between the housing and the braking elements, and a clampable and lockable actuating device that unlocks and unclamps in response to a triggering event and brings the braking elements into braking engagement with the guide rail. The actuating device, when unclamped, develops a feed force and movement transverse to the guide rail longitudinal axis engaging the braking elements with the guide rail from a laterally distanced initial position, wherein the braking elements are entrained by frictional contact on the guide rail and enter the safety restraint, and wherein the actuating device is moved back into the initial position, clamped and locked by the braking elements located in the safety restraint.