Removable delivery-vehicle dock plate

A loading dock ramp system comprising:

• a platform having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the platform comprising at least one rod attached to the bottom surface at the first end;
• and
• at least two sets of brackets mounted at different heights on a loading dock structure, wherein a first of the sets of brackets are mounted above and aligned with a second of the sets of brackets, each set of brackets comprising a first bracket and a second bracket,
• the first bracket comprising a first planar surface extending away from a first base member and defining a hole, sized to accept the rod, through the first planar surface
• the second bracket comprising a second planar surface extending away from a second base member and defining a slot comprising an opening at an edge of the second planar surface, the slot sized to accept the rod such that the rod passes through the opening and rests at a bottom of the slot,
• wherein the first base member and the second base member are each configured for attachment to the loading dock structure, wherein the second bracket comprises a reinforcement member, and wherein the bottom of the slot is closer to the reinforcement member than the opening is to the reinforcement member, and wherein the bottom of the slot is offset horizontally from the slot opening.

A cross-docking trailer with loading platform, comprising:

• a plurality of doors along a sidewall of the trailer;
• a container structure of the trailer comprising the sidewall;
• at least two sets of brackets mounted to the container structure adjacent to at least one of the doors, wherein a first of the sets of brackets are mounted above and aligned with a second of the sets of brackets, each set of brackets comprising a first bracket and a second bracket;
• and
• a removable loading platform configured to be installed within the sets of brackets, the platform having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, the platform comprising at least one rod, wherein the at least one rod comprises a solid cylindrical rod extending across the first end of the platform and extending as far as or beyond opposite side edges of the platform, wherein the platform further comprises:
• one or more angled flanges alongside edges of the platform, and
• a first planar surface and a second planar surface formed by a bend in the platform,
• wherein the platform is tapered at the second end such that the top surface of the platform includes a trapezoidal shape with the first end being longer than the second end, and
• wherein the at least one rod is attached to the platform by a rod mounting structure comprising a mounting plate welded to the rod and one or more hardware mounting points attaching the mounting plate to the platform;
• wherein, for each set of brackets:
• the first bracket comprises:
• a first base and a first planar surface extending away from the container structure and defining a hole, sized to accept the rod, through the first planar surface, and
• a first reinforcement member along a side edge of the first planar surface;
• and
• the second bracket comprises:
• a second base,
• a second planar surface extending away from the container structure and defining a slot comprising an opening at an edge of the second planar surface, the slot sized to accept the rod such that the rod passes through the opening and rests at a bottom of the slot, and
• a second reinforcement member along a side edge of the second planar surface, wherein the slot comprises a channel of parallel sides with a cylindrical bottom resting area in which the rod is configured to sit,
• wherein the opening at the edge of the second planar surface is positioned facing away from the second reinforcement member, and
• wherein the bottom of the slot is closer to the second reinforcement member than the opening is to the second reinforcement member.