tray apparatus for patients , including a tray member having a bottom and contiguous sides upstanding from periphery thereof , and a removable plate , releasably disposed over said tray member and provided with a series of receptacle - receiving apertures . the apertures accommodate the placement of plate , cups and the like which , when inserted into the apertures , contact and are supported by the bottom of the tray member . upstanding arms are fixably disposed relative to opposite sides of the tray member and are articulatively coupled to horizontal cross - bar structure by means of a type of link . the composite tray structure enjoys a gravity - assist , whereby such tray structure is maintained essentially in a horizontal position even though its support might be jarred or even moving . locking means is provided for releasably locking the tray structure to external support structure .