Abstract: An electronic safety actuator (1) for an elevator safety brake, includes a first solenoid (2), a magnet (3), movable by the first solenoid (2) between a first position proximate to the first solenoid (2) and a second position distal from the first solenoid (2) a second solenoid (6) and a detector (8). The detector (8) is arranged to apply an electrical signal to one of the first solenoid (2) and the second solenoid (6), and to detect an electrical signal induced in the other of the first solenoid (2) and the second solenoid (6) as a result of the applied electrical signal. There is also provided a method of detecting a condition or state of the first solenoid (2) or the magnet (3).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mine shaft conveyance safety brake for controlling the rate of deceleration of a free-falling conveyance, operating within or upon fixed shaft guides, in a vertical, substantially vertical or inclined mine shaft. The safety brake includes an activation system, one or more guide clamp assemblies operable for locking onto one or more shaft guides, one or more braking assemblies and one or more brake paths attached upon the conveyance. Upon detection of a conveyance suspension failure or slack rope condition associated with a free-falling or obstructed condition of the conveyance, the activation system is triggered, causing each guide clamp assembly to self-lock onto a shaft guide. Upon further downward travel of the conveyance, the braking assemblies travel upwardly upon the brake paths, generating increasing braking forces in a controlled manner until the conveyance comes to a controlled stop.

Abstract: A safety device for an elevator system may include a safety element that in a release position holds a safety system in a deactivated state and in a blocking position activates the safety system. The safety element may exert a driving force configured to transfer the safety element from the release position into the blocking position. A holding element may exert a holding force on the safety element that counteracts the driving force to hold the safety element in the release position. In the release position of the safety element, the holding force exceeds the driving force by a tolerance amount that is adjustable depending on different operating modes that are possible in the release position of the safety element. The safety device may be configured to transfer the safety element into the blocking position, to reduce the holding force such that the driving force exceeds the holding force.

Abstract: A governor assembly is provided including a sheave rotatably mounted on a shaft and a ratchet disc mounted on the shaft. Rotation of the ratchet disc is restricted. An overspeed assembly includes a swing jaw mounted to the sheave. The swing jaw is movable between a normal position and a tripped position. The swing jaw is biased into the tripped position. When the swing jaw is in the tripped position, rotation of the sheave in a first direction is restricted. A tripping lever is pivotally mounted to the sheave and is configured to cooperate with the swing jaw. Rotation of the sheave in a second, opposite direction is configured to automatically move the swing jaw against its bias to the normal position.

Abstract: An adjacent safety configuration for an elevator includes a second pair of safeties displaced from a first pair of safeties by at least 0.1 seconds of travel time at a rated speed of the elevator. An adjacent safety configuration for an elevator including a second pair of safeties displaced from the first pair of safeties to provide a predetermined time period before the second pair of safeties pass over a point on a guide rail previously passed over by the first pair of safeties to permit the guide rail surface to decrease by a predetermined temperature. A method of spacing an adjacent safety configuration for an elevator system including de-rating a pair of trailing safeties with respect to a pair of leading safeties as a function of a rated speed of the elevator and a spacing between the pair of trailing safeties and the pair of leading safeties.

Abstract: A disc locking device, comprising: a base, a brake clamping block, a support mechanism, a front baffle, a limiting cover plate, a needle roller slide plate and a brake triggering mechanism, and so on. The base includes a bottom plate and two side vertical plates which are integrally arranged on the bottom plate; the two side vertical plates are oppositely arranged, and the inner walls thereof are all lateral slope surfaces, so that a wedge-shaped groove having a large front opening and a small rear opening is formed between the two laterally-vertical plates; and mounting holes penetratingly connected to the brake triggering mechanism are formed on the side vertical plates. The support mechanism includes a front support mechanism and a rear support mechanism.

Abstract: A selectively operable braking device for an elevator system. The braking device includes a safety brake adapted to be wedged against a guide rail when moved from a non-braking state into a braking state. Also included is an engagement mechanism moveable between an engaged position and a non-engaged position, the engagement mechanism comprising bar pinions each having teeth and connected to at least one of the other bar pinions with a meshed engagement of the teeth, the engagement mechanism configured to move the safety brake between the non-braking state and braking state when the engagement mechanism moves between the non-engaged position and the engaged position. Further included is a plurality of magnetic brake pads, each of the brake pads coupled to one of the bar pinions, wherein movement of one of the brake pads into the engaged position causes movement of the other magnetic brake pads into the engaged position.

Abstract: A caliper brake for elevator systems has at least one, and preferably two, brake calipers. Each brake caliper has at least one brake pad on a respective brake arm pivoted at a fulcrum. The brake caliper can be swiveled at least into a ready position and into a braking position. The brake arm is elastic and preferably embodied at least partly as a leaf spring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safety device for elevators, which belongs to the field of elevator safety technologies. The safety device for elevators includes a housing; a safety piece having a guide rail groove, the safety piece being disposed in the housing; and asymmetric active and counter wedges that are slidably disposed on the safety piece at both sides of the guide rail groove, respectively. Moreover, the device further includes a U-shaped elastic element and a blocking piece that are disposed on the safety piece. The safety device for elevators can provide a relatively stable arresting force, is reliable in repetitive work, achieves high safety, is relatively easy as well as fast and efficient in restoration, and is especially suitable for high-speed elevators.

Abstract: A platform lift apparatus moves objects vertically within a structure such as between floors of a residential or commercial structure. The platform lift apparatus further comprises a main body having a platform receiving portion and a utility portion. A drive train is substantially contained within the utility portion of the main body. The drive train comprises a rotatable shaft having plural lift drums and a motor operatively coupled to the shaft to cause selective rotation thereof. Each of the lift drums has an associated lift tether coupled thereto and wound thereon. A platform is coupled to respective ends of the lift tethers to suspend the platform from the platform receiving portion of the main body. The platform is selectively movable by operation of the drive train to travel vertically relative to the main body. The platform is substantially nested within the platform receiving portion of the main body when at an uppermost point of travel.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a lift system, the safety mechanism including a first motion retarder which operates frictionally between a load-carrying platform and a hoistway and a second motion retarder which operates by breaking a frangible element. The two motion retarders may act together so that when the frictionally engaging element is depleted, the frangible elements are then broken. In an embodiment, the frictional element is disengaged to engage the breaking of the frangible elements when the car is a predetermined distance above a floor of the hoistway, thereby ensuring that the load-carrying platform can be stopped prior to a collision with the floor or ceiling of the hoistway.

Abstract: A braking device (2) for braking a lift car which moves relative to a lift shaft, having at least one braking module (6) which is provided in order to interact with a device, and having a catch (4) which can be adjusted between two operating positions (36, 360, 38), wherein the catch (4), in a first operating position (36, 360), is connected to the at least one braking module (6) such that the catch (4) transmits a release force (22) to the at least one braking module (6), and wherein the catch (4), in a second operating position (38), is separated from the at least one braking module (6), and the at least one braking module (6) is therefore in contact with the device.

Abstract: An exemplary braking device for an elevator car includes a first brake member configured to remain fixed relative to an elevator car for applying a braking force to a first side of an element such as a guide rail. A second brake member is moveable relative to the first brake member for applying a braking force to a second side of the element. A brake release member adjacent the first brake member is received against the first side of the element between the first brake member and the first side of the guide rail. The brake release member is moveable relative to the first brake member for selectively releasing the braking device from engagement with the element.

Abstract: An emergency brake apparatus for an elevator system is installed on an elevator cage or a balance weight of the elevator system and includes a grip member with slant surfaces and a pressing surface sandwiching a guide rail, a pressing member disposed movably between the slant surfaces of the grip member and the guide rail, and an electric solenoid connected to the pressing member and actuated by an electric signal. The electric solenoid positions the pressing member away from the guide rail in a non-braking operation while pushing the pressing member between the slant surfaces and the guide rail in a braking operation.

Abstract: An elevator car braking apparatus includes a gear drive assembly for compressing one or more springs which are coupled by a cam follower to one or a pair of brake shoes. When the springs are released from a compressed state, the brake shoes engage and grip hoisting ropes, part of the hoisting apparatus or the car guide rails, within a predetermined time from the start of a brake application cycle. During a brake application cycle, the springs move the cam follower along cam surfaces shaped and disposed to cause the cam follower to move at least one of the brake shoes toward the other brake shoe. The gear assembly includes clutch means for disengaging from and engaging with a gear or axle of the gear assembly during decompression and compression of the springs, respectively. A resilient material in the braking apparatus initially accelerates movement of the cam follower when the springs begin to decompress, and may protect gears of the gear assembly from damage at the end of a brake release cycle.

Abstract: Brake equipment for holding and braking an elevator car in an elevator installation, which is arranged to be movable along a brake track in two directions of travel, includes a mount with a brake lining which automatically adjusts under friction couple with the brake track on movement of the elevator car relative to the rail and in that case tightens a first tightening means, which can be released by an actuator. The first tightening means tightens the mount together with the brake lining against the brake track by a biasing force. The brake equipment produces, with unmoved brake equipment and an unreleased state of the actuator, a holding force acting in both directions of travel. The holding force is determined substantially by the biasing force acting on the mount.

Abstract: A tensioning sheave apparatus main body has a tensioning sheave around which the speed governor rope is wound. The tensioning sheave apparatus main body is suspended on the speed governor rope to apply tension. Vertical displacement of the tensioning sheave apparatus main body is guided by a tensioning sheave rail. A braking force generating apparatus suppresses upward displacement of the tensioning sheave apparatus main body by a braking force that is generated by gripping the tensioning sheave rail. The braking force generating apparatus allows the upward displacement of the tensioning sheave apparatus main body when the magnitude of an upward force that acts on the tensioning sheave apparatus main body is greater than or equal to a fixed value.

Abstract: An elevator installation has braking equipment for braking and holding an elevator car which moves in vertical direction within guide tracks or rails. The braking equipment consists of at least two brake units each comprising a normal force regulation device that sets a normal force (FN) in correspondence with a normal force value determined by a brake control unit and/or a locking device that locks the brake unit in a set braking position and which preferably maintains the set braking position in the case of an interrupted energy supply. The braking equipment provides a gentle braking or holding of the elevator car, which corresponds with the operational state of the elevator installation, with a low energy requirement.

Abstract: A braking device for an elevated platform assembly comprising a platform moveable along a generally vertical mast supporting an upright rack comprises an input gear assembly in mating engagement with the rack, a centrifugal actuator communicating with the input assembly and a spring-loaded brake responsive to the centrifugal actuator. The spring-loaded brake engages the rack and arrests the platform when the platform descends the mast at a rate above an upper threshold limit.

Abstract: In an emergency stop system for an elevator, a governor sheave that moves in synchronism with the raising and lowering of a car is wound around a governor sheave. The car is mounted with a safety device for braking the car through displacement of the car, which is connected to the governor rope, with respect to the governor rope. A control device outputs an activation signal upon detecting an abnormality in the speed of the car. A rope catching device is provided in the vicinity of the governor sheave. The rope catching device has an electromagnetic actuator that is activated upon input of the activation signal, and a restraining portion for restraining the governor rope upon the activation of the electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: A brake mechanism (10) for an elevator (2) is activated in response to an electronic control signal to prevent movement of an elevator car (16) under predetermined conditions. The brake mechanism is preferably a safety mechanism (10) and does not require a governor sheave, a governor rope, or a tension sheave. The safety mechanism in one disclosed example utilizes a solenoid actuator (22b) and an electric motor (40) and gear box assembly (42) to move safety wedges (18) into engagement with a guide rail (20) to stop the elevator car (16). The safety wedges (18) are held in a non-deployed position during normal elevator operation. If there is a power loss or if elevator car speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, an electronic control signal activates the safety mechanism (10) causing the solenoid to release, which causes the safety wedges (18) move in a direction opposite to that of a safety housing (12) mounted for movement with the elevator car (16).

Abstract: An elevator evacuation apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is adapted to enable person(s) trapped in a stopped elevator car to pull a cable outside a car window to activate a cam based pulley and gear mechanism which in turn intermittently releases and actuates a brake, thereby slowly lowering the stopped car until arriving a correct floor. A number of embodiments are possible.

Abstract: A braking mechanism (10) for the moving structure (22) of a moving assembly comprises an elongated member (28) provided with a scroll (34) for mating engagement with coupling means (46) formed on a ring (44) which is freely capable of rotating around the member (28) and therealong during normal operation of the relevant moving structure (22). The ring (44) is included within a guide structure (36) attached to the moving structure (22) and also comprising an engagement element (42) with which the ring (44) engages when the moving structure (22) exceeds a predetermined speed. A bearing (40) is associated with the guide structure (36) and provided on and around the engagement element (42) for the ring (44) in order to facilitate travel along the elongated member (28).

Abstract: The present invention prevents cracking of a brake shoe even when the sliding surface of the brake shoe is heated to a high temperature and provides high reliability. The present invention provides a brake shoe for elevator emergency stop which generates a braking force by pressing brake shoes against a guide rail and making the brake shoes 5 slide to stop an elevator cage in the event of anomalies, including the brake shoes made of a cast iron material having a plurality of grooves 3 formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the guide rail and gear teeth which constitute a sliding surface with the brake shoes 5 formed as gaps between the grooves, wherein the depth of the grooves is 3 mm or more and not more than 1.7 times the width of the gear teeth.

Abstract: A safety device brakes an elevator car with a guide rail exhibiting an oblong guide flange. The safety device includes a base carrying a retaining element and an abutment with the guide flange positioned therebetween. A mechanism squeezes, when braking, a braking element blocking roller between the guide flange and the abutment. The mechanism, co-operating with an electromagnet, moves the braking element in a controlled way between different positions associated with different operating conditions of the safety device.

Abstract: A tripping device for engaging an elevator lift cage safety brake has actuating levers arranged at a rotary axle for engaging safety brake wedges of the safety braking device. Each actuating lever has a longitudinal slot matched to the diameter of the rotary axle, wherein the actuating lever is freely movable in the direction of the rotary axle and in the direction of the length of the actuating lever. A torsion spring fixes the actuating lever about the rotary axle. One spring end presses the actuating lever downwardly, wherein the movement of the actuating lever is limited by a lower abutment. The other spring end is detachably connected to a support. An upper abutment limits the movement of the actuating lever upwardly. The lower abutment and the upper abutment are each held at a respective end of a T-shaped shackle, wherein the shackle is fixedly connected to the rotary axle.

Abstract: A vertically sliding freight elevator landing door with a safety brake that deploys when a chain suspending the door breaks. The safety brake is adapted for use on both panels that slide up to open or that slide down to open. The brake, which is simple in construction and installation, comprises, principally, a caliber block fixed to the door and a roller cam assembled in the block. A spring biases the roller cam towards a wedge lock position while a cable normally holds the roller cam in an inactive position. The cable and, therefore, the roller cam are released when the associated door suspension chain breaks. The roller cam, operating between a tilted internal surface in the caliper block and a door guide rail quickly frictionally brakes the door on the guard rail.

Abstract: In an elevator emergency braking apparatus, a braking device main body has a main body braking surface facing a main rope and positioned at a first side of a main rope array, and a tapered surface facing the main body braking surface on an opposite side of the main rope array. An intermediate braking piece is disposed between mutually-adjacent main ropes inside the braking device main body. The intermediate braking piece is displaceable in a direction to be placed separably in contact with the main body braking surface. A wedge member is disposed between the tapered surface and the main rope array. The wedge member is separated from the main ropes during normal operation, and wedged between the tapered surface and the main ropes during braking.

Abstract: A safety brake device has a setting device moving an abutment or a housing to limit movement of brake wedges engaging a guide rail which limits a braking force applied by the brake wedges. The setting device can continuously adjust the braking force limit in dependence on a magnitude of a mass to be braked.

Abstract: In an elevator emergency stop device wherein emergency stop of the elevator cage (20) is achieved by generating frictional force at a sliding part (11) and guide rail (1) by pressing a sliding part (11) against guide rail 1 using a wedge-shaped element (3), in wedge-shaped element (3), the dimension in the direction perpendicular with respect to the sliding faces on the guide rail (1) and sliding part (11) is changed in accordance with the braking force. An elevator emergency stop device can thereby be provided wherein the braking force is kept constant even though the coefficient of friction changes.

Abstract: A centrifugally activated device for controlling the speed of movement of an elevator cab includes the capability of controlling upward and downward movement. A first stopping device is associated with at least one elevator sheave. A second stopping device preferably is supported on an opposite side of the same sheave. The second stopping device preferably includes centrifugally activated components such as a latch member that moves from a first position into a second, stopping position responsive to an undesirably high speed of upward movement of the elevator cab. The centrifugally activated components preferably include a latch member that is rotatably supported on the sheave and has an engaging member at one end that engages a cooperating stop surface near the sheave to prevent the sheave from further rotation upon the sheave reaching an undesirably high rate of rotation.

Abstract: A safety device to arrest movement of an elevator car guided by non-metallic guide rails employs a friction surface mounted on a wedge. The wedge is located in proximity to an angular horizontal locator when in the unengaged position. Upon activation of the wedge during an overspeed condition the horizontal locator urges the friction surface of the wedge into contact with the guide rail.

Abstract: A safety brake assembly is disclosed comprising a housing movable on a vertical support, the housing attached to a carpet support arm, a pulley rotatably mounted on a shaft of the housing, a link having an inner end pivotally connected to the shaft and an outer end connected to a first end of a pivot bracket on the housing, a second end of the pivot bracket connected to a wedge-shaped member adjacent the pulley, and tensioning means connected intermediate the ends of the pivot bracket. In the event of cable failure, the upward pressure previously exerted on the pulley is released, causing a downward movement of the pulley and link, the movement transferred by means of the pivot bracket to cause upward movement of the wedge-shaped member which is forced up between the pulley and the vertical support, the resultant friction arresting further downward movement of the housing and carpet support arm.

Abstract: A safety device brakes an elevator car with a guide rail exhibiting an oblong guide flange. The safety device includes a base carrying a retaining element and an abutment with the guide flange positioned therebetween. A mechanism squeezes, when braking, a braking element blocking roller between the guide flange and the abutment. The mechanism, co-operating with an electromagnet, moves the braking element in a controlled way between different positions associated with different operating conditions of the safety device.

Abstract: A safety brake for braking a load receiving portion of an elevator has at least one brake wedge that penetrates a gap between a resiliently supported pressure body and a guide rail for the load receiving portion of the elevator and thereby generates a braking force. A stroke limiting device limits the penetration stroke of the brake wedge and controls the braking force in dependence on the retardation value of the load receiving portion of the elevator.

Abstract: A safety brake device has a setting device moving an abutment or a housing to limit movement of brake wedges engaging a guide rail which limits a braking force applied by the brake wedges. The setting device can continuously adjust the braking force limit in dependence on a magnitude of a mass to be braked.

Abstract: In an elevator emergency stop device wherein emergency stop of the elevator cage (20) is achieved by generating frictional force at a sliding part (11) and guide rail (1) by pressing a sliding part (11) against guide rail 1 using a wedge-shaped element (3), in wedge-shaped element (3), the dimension in the direction perpendicular with respect to the sliding faces on the guide rail (1) and sliding part (11) is changed in accordance with the braking force.

Abstract: A safety brake for braking a load receiving portion of an elevator has at least one brake wedge that penetrates a gap between a resiliently supported pressure body and a guide rail for the load receiving portion of the elevator and thereby generates a braking force. A stroke limiting device limits the penetration stroke of the brake wedge and controls the braking force in dependence on the retardation value of the load receiving portion of the elevator.

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.

Abstract: A safety device to arrest movement of an elevator car guided by non-metallic guide rails employs a friction surface mounted on a wedge. The wedge is located in proximity to an angular horizontal locator when in the unengaged position. Upon activation of the wedge during an overspeed condition the horizontal locator urges the friction surface of the wedge into contact with the guide rail.

Abstract: An emergency stop apparatus for an elevator having a simple structure as well as effectiveness, which may facilitate to reduce manufacturing and maintaining cost.

Abstract: In an elevator safety braking device, a variable traction mechanism in a rotary actuator allows the drive wheels of the rotary actuator to operate at a reduced preload during normal elevator operation. When engaging, a higher preload is necessary. In the event of safety braking, the variable traction mechanism increases the preload on the drive wheel to ensure timely and proper safety engagement. The variable traction mechanism therefore allows the drive wheels to be subjected to a reduced preload during normal operation, thus relaxing the design criteria for the drive wheels while maintaining reliability.

Abstract: A ropeless governor system is provided for governing the speed of an elevator car (2) in the event of an overspeed condition. An actuator for a safety device (30) is positioned in close proximity to an elevator rail (14) and activated to come into contact and provide a dragging force against the rail in the event of an overspeed condition. The ropeless governor is coupled to an elevator safety braking system (26, 28) such that the dragging force activates the safety brakes. A safety controller (91) is used to determine if the speed of the elevator car has exceeded a predetermined threshold level and to produce a triggering signal (96) to operate the ropeless governor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for securing against the impermissible unreeling speed of a belt element (80) from a shaft (82) of a lifter (70) used for transporting a handicapped person; the shaft is connected to a first gear wheel (84), in order to assure by a structurally simple arrangement that if the belt element (80) has an impermissible unreeling speed, locking of the shaft (82) occurs as a function of the speed of revolution of the shaft (82) receiving the belt element (80), a locking element (102) is moved in between the first gear wheel (84) and a gear wheel (92), as a result of which the first gear wheel (84) is blocked.

Abstract: A safety gear (1) comprising a frame provided with a braking surface, which, when the safety gear is braking, is pressed against a first guide surface of a guide rail. Mounted in the frame is a roller (3), which moves along a track in the safety gear. The track comprises at least a first gradient and a second gradient, the first gradient having a larger pitch angle than the second gradient. The roller is pressed against a second guide surface of the guide rail when the safety gear is braking. The roller (3) has a stronger grip on the track on the first gradient than on the second gradient.

Abstract: An arresting brake device with triggering equipment for elevators provides different braking effect in upward and downward directions of travel. The device includes a tiltable rocker, as a barrier element, provided with an articulated two-point bearing in yielding joint pans. The rocker is operatively connected with a movable brake shoe and is, on actuation by triggering equipment, tilted by entraining members up to an abutment beyond or ahead of its dead center according to the direction of travel of an elevator car in upward or downward directions. By the tilting movement, one or the other yielding joint pan is pushed against a biased adjustable compression spring and the movable brake shoe and a fixed brake shoe are accordingly urged against a guide rail. The compression springs, which are arranged in a spring block, can each be biased separately in a variable manner by a respective setting screw.

Abstract: A breaking arrangement for elevating work platform includes a break body, a C-shaped receiving piece, a breaking unit, and a break released handle. The breaking arrangement allows only upward movement of the elevating work platform during normal operation, the construction workers can move downward after a break released handle is released. The breaking arrangement can further provided an emergency stop when failure occur in the main suspension cable or the winding machine, so that the elevating work platform would not slide down.

Abstract: A sliding safety gear designed to brake by gripping an elevator or counterweight guide rail includes a flexible frame surrounding the guide rail in the directions of the guiding surfaces of the guide rail. The frame is provided with a braking surface that meets a first guide surface of the guide rail when the sliding safety gear is braking. Attached to the frame is a force element that meets a second guide surface when the sliding safety gear is braking. The cross-section of the frame of the safety gear is substantially in the shape of the letter C. At least one of the ends of the jams of the C-shape is inside the C-shape.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for an elevator of the present invention includes an emergency stopping mechanism for generating a high frictional force to brake the elevator, a driving apparatus for operating the emergency stopping mechanism, a cam latch mechanism for releasing the driving apparatus when the speed of movement of the elevator reaches a critical speed, and a governor for activating the cam latch mechanism

Abstract: A brake shoe for an elevator emergency stop has a including a brake body having a braking face and (b) plurality of braking pieces embodied in the braking face side of the brake body to be projected from a braking face. The projection of each of the braking pieces forms a column or a multi-cornered pole having rounded corners. The braking pieces are made of a composite material containing a ceramic base material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon carbide and sialon, and particles of at least one ceramic material selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a nitride and a boride. The ceramic particles have a particle size in the range of 10 to 150 .mu.m, and dispersed into the ceramic base material.