Abstract: A safety device is provided which includes a guide rail having a C-shaped profile wherein a carriage can be inserted in or removed from the guide rail. The guide rail includes a piece of rail with the same profile as the guide rail that is laterally pivotable about an axis. The piece of rail can pivot to both a closed position where it is aligned with the guide rail, and an open position wherein a carriage may be inserted therein. The axis is located beneath the center of the piece of rail so that a carriage can be inserted in, or removed from the piece of rail only from the top and cannot drop out the bottom. The piece of rail's laterally pivotable motion is limited to the minimum required for inserting a carriage into the piece of rail. A locking plate is displaceably mounted within the guide rail. The locking plate is displaceable between a locking position and a release position.

Abstract: A safety brake is provided for elevators, aerial cableways and the like which prevents unchecked downward travel of the cable car or the elevator cabin in case the lifting or drive cable breaks, or the transmission gear mechanism or the drive motor fails.