Abstract: Apparatus for selectively applying tension to a parking brake cable that includes a pulley for coupling to the cable and having a cable groove that is non-circular about an axis of the pulley. A lever is coupled to the pulley for rotating the pulley in one direction about its axis, and thereby winding the cable into the groove to apply tension to the cable. A clutch is coupled to the pulley to prevent reverse rotation of the pulley, and a release mechanism is coupled to the clutch for releasing the clutch and thereby releasing tension in the cable. The non-circular groove has a maximum radius where the cable is wound into the groove upon initial operation of the lever, and a decreasing radius thereafter. In this way, force is applied to the parking brake cable at maximum rate of change upon initial actuation of the lever, increasing at a lower rate as the lever is further depressed.