A brake device for an elevator system generates a friction grip on an elevator rail and includes two legs with brake ends. The first leg is connected to a first articulation point of a transmission lever that has, located at a distance in a longitudinal direction from the first articulation point, a second articulation point that is connected to a first pivot of a pressure lever. The second leg is connected to a second pivot of the pressure lever. A third pivot of the pressure lever is connected to an articulation point of an actuating element (crank rod) whereby a longitudinal movement of the actuating element moves the brake device between a braking position with the brake ends spaced apart a minimum distance, and an opened position with the brake ends spaced apart a maximum distance. The actuating element longitudinal movement is predefined by first and second end points.