System and method for converting an overhead door into a gate or serving window to facilitate entertainment and other purposes

A method for converting an overhead door into a serving window, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least two rows of panels spanning the width of the door, and locating one panel above and adjacent to the other panel;
• providing a pair of rails opposite one another and adjacent to the panels, the panels traveling within the rails to move from a closed position to an open position;
• providing at least one hinge connecting the lower row of panels to the upper row of panels, the hinge having an upper half attached to the upper row of panels and a lower half attached to the lower row of panels;
• and
• providing the upper half of the hinge with flared mating portions that are turned outwardly;
• providing the lower half of the hinge with flared mating portions that are turned inwardly, such that the lower half of the hinge fits within the upper half of the hinge, the flared mating portions of the lower hinge nesting within the flared mating portions of the upper hinge;
• providing a first pin passing through the mating portions of the upper and lower halves of the hinge when the lower half of the hinge is nested within the upper half of the hinge, the pin locking the upper and lower halves of the hinge together;
• providing an aperture in the upper half of the hinge for receiving and stowing the first pin when the first pin is removed from the mating portions of the upper and lower halves of the hinge to unlock the upper half from the lower half of the hinge;
• providing a second pin passing through a portion of the lower hinge located proximately beneath the first pin when inserted into the upper and lower halves of the hinge, the second pin configured to engage with one of the rails to lock the lower row of panels to the rail;
• moving the upper row of panels from the closed position to the open position when the first pin is removed from the hinge and the second pin of the hinge is engaged with the rail, to form a serving window.