Abstract: The disclosed toy balloon-gondola combination has an improved gondola that has an open top and a peripheral sidewall with spaced upper and lower edges. The gondola also has a cross member with means formed therein adapted to cooperate with the balloon fill stem, extended from an upper side of the cross member to a lower side thereof, for holding the balloon relative to the cross member. Two types of cross members are disclosed. One type of cross member is formed integrally with the gondola, and the gondola itself is of a special design. The other type of cross member is formed on a separate plug, adapted to be inserted into the open top of a conventional lightweight disposable drinking cup, and to become fixed relative to the sidewall thereof.

Abstract: A lighter than air toy consisting of a basket gondola made of a light plastic or other material attached to the bottom of a toy balloon filled with a gas less dense than air, such as helium. The balloon, when inflated with a gas less dense than air, provides the buoyancy to lift the gondola into the air and allows it to rise freely or float at a predetermined level. Ballast weights can be added to the gondola to balance the buoyancy force so that the force of gravitation on the gondola and balloon is exactly balanced by the buoyant force whereby the gondola and balloon assembly together have a neutral buoyancy in the air. The basket gondola and balloon are held together by means of stretching the knot of the balloon through a keyhole slot made in the basket gondola. The knot is held in place by wedging it into the thin part of the keyhole slot. This invention is simple to make and put together. The basket gondola can be used as a childs toy or for advertising promotion.