Patent ID: 8602177

Claim:
A mechanical brake for arresting movement of the armature of a linear electric motor in the absence of electrical power comprising a pivotably mounted plate having an aperture for receiving a member attached to the armature of the motor, and an electrically operated pivotably mounted lever contacting a free end of the plate and arranged to hold the plate in a condition to permit movement of the member while electrical power is present wherein a free end of the lever contacts the plate at a first location and to permit the plate to pivot to a jamming position in the absence of electrical power wherein the free end of the plate contacts the lever at a second location, wherein the second location is closer to the pivot of the lever than the first location, wherein the plate is pivotably mounted on a member which is capable of movement against a biasing force acting in a direction opposite to gravity, thereby to limit the amount of force applied by the brake.