Abstract: An elevator brake that utilizes the elevator platform weight to generate the necessary clamping force for stopping the elevator is disclosed. Electromagnetically released safety systems that have been considered for ropeless linear motor elevator systems rely on resilient or spring members to generate the clamping force. As the weight of the platform increases, the clamping forces and the size of the springs have to be appropriately increased. In the gravity-assisted elevator brake, the clamping force is generated by the total cargo and elevator platform weight, while small springs are used to activate the brake. It is unlikely that a ropeless elevator platform will tethered to a large power cable, so supplying large amounts of power to the safety systems could be a problem. The force needed to release and set the gravity-assisted elevator brake under normal operations would be minimal so the brake can be operated from a low power source.