bridging plate

bridging plate (plural bridging plates)

1. A metal plate used to bridge a gap between a lorry or truck and a loading bay (or between two vehicles) for loading and unloading purposes.
   • 2021 September 8, Anthony Lambert, “On track for express parcels delivery”, in RAIL, number 939, page 41:

     "Thanks to the deck of an articulated lorry being similar to the rail vehicle, all we needed was some hardstanding and a bridging plate. Sometimes it pays to keep it simple," he says.

• bridge plate