Abstract: A disk brake, preferably for use in connection with industrial machinery, has a pair of braking levers which carry at one end brake shoes located on opposite sides of the disk. The braking levers are operatively interconnected at the end opposite the brake shoes, and emergency on/off control means are provided which includes gripping means urging one of the braking levers into braking contact with the disk; electromagnetic release means are provided operable to oppose the action of the gripping means. Progressively acting control means in the form of an electromagnet are also provided adapted to act on one of the braking levers.