Mechanically activated skate brake and method

A roller skate brake system, comprising:

• (a) a rocker arm having a first end, a second end, and a pivot point located between said first and second ends, said rocker arm being rotatably connected at said pivot point to a roller skate, the rocker arm riding on said skate above a skating surface when the skate is being used to skate on said surface;
• a rotation of said rocker arm in a first direction about said pivot point urging said first end towards the skating surface, and a rotation of said rocker arm in a second direction about the pivot point urging said end away from the skating surface,
• (b) a brake pad operatively connected to said first end of the rocker arm so as to move towards and away from said skating surface in concert with said first end, and a hand-activated actuator operatively connected to said second end of the rocker arm, said actuator urging the rocker arm to rotate in said first direction so that the brake pad is urged towards said skating surface when the actuator is engaged and;
• (c) return means operatively connected to said rocker arm, said return means urging the rocker arm to rotate in said second direction about said pivot so that the brake pad is urged away from the skating surface when the actuator is not engaged,
• said brake system thereby using the skating surface for stopping said skate when the actuator is engaged and while the angle of the skate relative to the ground remains constant.