Abstract: A progressive safety gear for elevators, having a console which encompasses one guide rail for an elevator car and is positioned in a transverse direction to the guide rail. Two brake shoes are mounted on the console so as to be positioned one on each side of the guide rail. One of the brake shoes functions as a passive brake shoe and other as an active brake shoe. The active brake shoe is supported on an eccentric which is fastened to a cam so that they rotate together. The cam and the eccentric are able to rotate about a common pivot. The cam and the eccentric together form a single-part actuating element. Moving the elevator car in the direction opposite to the direction of engagement causes the cam to rotate backwards, which in combination with the vertical play on the passive brake shoe enables the engaged safety gear to be easily and safely released again. An alternative version is provided which has a multi-part actuating element with an adjustable angle.