This is preliminary, but wondering why I haven't already tried implementing this braking method. The brake is like a Razor scooter brake, except the braking force naturally won't come from the skater's foot. The braking force will come from ski poles or trekking poles. A small cup will be super glued to the braking fender. The cup and the ski poles are not shown in the pictures partly because there are other possible methods for applying force to the braking fender. Seems to me that ski poles would provide the greatest amount of control. However, any lever or ratcheting mechanism attached between the skate heel and the fender probably will work. The main application for this brake is speed control for going downhill. It is not for emergency braking. The brake is simple and extremely light. It attaches to the rear skate frame via a small bolt/nut at the same point as an ordinary heel brake. This brake should work similar to a heel brake. Since the braking force is applied to the rear wheel, leaning forward will automatically release braking pressure. I'll probably put the brake on both skates. It is preliminary. The main question in my mind is how long a brake wheel will last. Skate wheels are made for rolling and not grinding like a chunk of brake rubber, but this method is already used on scooters so it should be okay. Will see.
Pictures posted: Newsgroups: alt.binaries.phish Subject: in-line skate brake
Good luck and have fun.