An elevator braking device, comprising: a first brake member for applying a braking force to a first side of an element; a second brake member that is moveable relative to the first brake member for applying a braking force to a second side of the element; and a brake release member adjacent the first brake member to be received against the first side of the element between the first brake member and the first side of the element, the brake release member being moveable in a vertical direction relative to the first brake member for selectively releasing the braking device from engagement with the element; characterized in that the elevator braking device comprises a first guide pin and a second guide pin, the first brake member includes a first arm having a first guide pin aperture, a portion of the guide pin being received in the aperture to allow the pin to slide within the aperture, a second arm has a second guide pin aperture, a portion of the second guide pin being received in the aperture to allow sliding movement of the pin relative to the second arm and a sliding contact surface for contacting a sliding contact surface located on the brake release member; and the brake release member - is received between the first arm and the second arm such that each arm establishes a limit or end of possible vertical movement of the brake release member between the first arm and the second arm relative to the first brake member and - includes a first aperture for accepting the other portion of the first guide pin and a second aperture for accepting the other portion of the second guide pin. a first brake member for applying a braking force to a first side of an element; a second brake member that is moveable relative to the first brake member for applying a braking force to a second side of the element; and a brake release member adjacent the first brake member to be received against the first side of the element between the first brake member and the first side of the element, the brake release member being moveable in a vertical direction relative to the first brake member for selectively releasing the braking device from engagement with the element; characterized in that the elevator braking device comprises a first guide pin and a second guide pin, the first brake member includes a first arm having a first guide pin aperture, a portion of the guide pin being received in the aperture to allow the pin to slide within the aperture, a second arm has a second guide pin aperture, a portion of the second guide pin being received in the aperture to allow sliding movement of the pin relative to the second arm and a sliding contact surface for contacting a sliding contact surface located on the brake release member; and the brake release member - is received between the first arm and the second arm such that each arm establishes a limit or end of possible vertical movement of the brake release member between the first arm and the second arm relative to the first brake member and - includes a first aperture for accepting the other portion of the first guide pin and a second aperture for accepting the other portion of the second guide pin. the elevator braking device comprises a first guide pin and a second guide pin, the first brake member includes a first arm having a first guide pin aperture, a portion of the guide pin being received in the aperture to allow the pin to slide within the aperture, a second arm has a second guide pin aperture, a portion of the second guide pin being received in the aperture to allow sliding movement of the pin relative to the second arm and a sliding contact surface for contacting a sliding contact surface located on the brake release member; and the brake release member - is received between the first arm and the second arm such that each arm establishes a limit or end of possible vertical movement of the brake release member between the first arm and the second arm relative to the first brake member and - includes a first aperture for accepting the other portion of the first guide pin and a second aperture for accepting the other portion of the second guide pin. - is received between the first arm and the second arm such that each arm establishes a limit or end of possible vertical movement of the brake release member between the first arm and the second arm relative to the first brake member and - includes a first aperture for accepting the other portion of the first guide pin and a second aperture for accepting the other portion of the second guide pin.