Garage door handle systems and apparatuses

A retrofit apparatus for operating a garage door comprising:

• a body, the body including:
• a handle member end comprising a handle member;
• an attachment end connected to the handle member end, the attachment end comprising a left arm and a right arm, wherein the attachment end is pivotably attachable to a central #1 hinge assembly connecting a first and second panel operably connected between a first section and a second section of the garage door, wherein the central #1 hinge assembly comprises:
• a first hinge leaf configured to be secured to the first section, the first hinge leaf including a first tube-receiving channel formed at the first hinge leaf;
• a second hinge leaf configured to be secured to the second section, the second hinge leaf including a second tube-receiving channel formed at the second hinge leaf;
• and
• a cylindrical tube horizontally extending through the aligned first tube-receiving channel and the second tube-receiving channel, defining a pivot axis about which the first hinge leaf and the second hinge leaf rotate relative to one another, wherein the cylindrical tube includes a hollow internal channel;
• a clevis pin configured to:
• connect the left arm and the right arm to the central #1 hinge assembly by being inserted through an aperture of the left arm, the hollow internal channel, and an aperture of the right arm, such that the body is removably attached to the central #1 hinge assembly.

A method for attaching a retrofit apparatus to a garage door, the method comprising:

• providing a central #1 hinge assembly operably connected between a first section and a second section of the garage door, comprising:
• a first hinge leaf configured to be secured to the first section, the first hinge leaf including a first tube-receiving channel formed at the first hinge leaf;
• a second hinge leaf configured to be secured to the second section, the second hinge leaf including a second tube-receiving channel formed at the second hinge leaf;
• and
• a cylindrical tube horizontally extending through the aligned first tube-receiving channel and the second tube-receiving channel, defining a pivot axis about which the first hinge leaf and the second hinge leaf rotate relative to one another, wherein the cylindrical tube includes a hollow internal channel;
• providing the retrofit apparatus, comprising:
• a body, the body including:
• a handle member end comprising a handle member;
• an attachment end connected to the handle member end, the attachment end comprising a left arm and a right arm, wherein the attachment end is pivotably attachable to a garage deer the central #1 hinge assembly;
• a clevis pin;
• connecting the handle arm to the central #1 hinge assembly by inserting the clevis pin through an aperture of the left arm, the hollow internal channel, and an aperture of the right arm, such that the attachment end is removably attached to the central #1 hinge assembly;
• attaching a hitch pin to the clevis pin, wherein the hitch pin is configured to prevent disengagement of the clevis pin from the central #1 hinge assembly.