Monkey chair and method of using same

Abstract

This application relates to a monkey chair and its method of use. The monkey chair includes: a main body constructed as a hollow box, including side walls with multiple first holes thereon; a neck ring fixing assembly disposed at the upper end of the main body; and a support assembly disposed in the internal space of the monkey chair. The main body, support assembly, and neck ring fixing assembly together define an internal space for receiving a monkey's body. The support assembly includes: a support plate for the monkey to sit on, having a second hole on its side, the support plate being able to float or be fixed relative to the main body; and an elastic member disposed between the support plate and a load-bearing part located below it and fixed in position relative to the main body, such that when the support plate is floating and the monkey is on the support plate, the position of the support plate is related to the monkey's weight; wherein, the fixing member can pass through the first and second holes from the outside of the main body to fix the support plate in a fixed state. This monkey chair is suitable for monkeys of different sizes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a monkey chair configured to accommodate a monkey and at least partially restrict the monkey's movement. Background Technology

[0002] Based on the national guidelines for brain science and brain-like science research, which are guided by exploring the secrets of the brain and conquering brain diseases, and brain-like research which is guided by establishing and developing artificial intelligence technology, we need to understand the control of brain nerve signals through animal brain-like research in order to better solve problems in human life.

[0003] The monkey chair is an experimental device frequently used in scientific experiments and research on monkeys. It is mainly used to at least partially restrict the limbs, body, and head of monkeys to assist in completing brain science and brain-like science research projects.

[0004] The monkey chairs currently available on the market or in laboratories generally have the following problems:

[0005] 1) The support panels inside existing monkey chairs are usually fixed at a certain height. Since the size and weight of experimental monkeys often vary, the fixed support height is difficult to adapt to the needs of different individuals. Smaller monkeys may not be able to extend their heads out of the main body of the monkey chair, thus negating the function of the monkey chair that should only restrain the body; while larger monkeys will feel cramped and uncomfortable, affecting the animals' cooperation.

[0006] 2) Most existing monkey chairs are only used as physical restraint devices, which is insufficient to meet the growing demand for optical experiments in the field of neuroscience. Monkey chairs are also incompatible with optical platforms.

[0007] Therefore, in order to meet the needs of different experimental applications, a monkey chair with a wide range of applications is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The objective of this invention is to provide a monkey chair that overcomes at least some of the shortcomings of existing monkey chairs.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, a monkey chair is provided, the monkey chair being configured to accommodate a monkey and at least partially restrict the monkey's movement, the monkey chair comprising:

[0010] The main body of the monkey chair is a hollow box and includes side walls, on which a plurality of first holes are arranged at intervals.

[0011] A neck collar securing assembly is disposed on the upper end of the main body of the monkey chair, the neck collar securing assembly being configured to retain the monkey's neck collar; and

[0012] A support assembly disposed within the interior space of the monkey chair, wherein the monkey chair body, the support assembly, and the neck collar fixing assembly together define the interior space of the monkey chair for receiving the monkey's body, the support assembly comprising:

[0013] - A support plate configured for a monkey to sit on, the support plate having a second hole on its side, the support plate being able to float or be fixed relative to the main body of the monkey chair; and

[0014] - At least one elastic member disposed between a support plate and a load-bearing portion located below the support plate and fixed relative to the main body of the monkey chair, such that when the support plate is in a floating state and the monkey is on the support plate, the position of the support plate in the main body of the monkey chair is related to the weight of the monkey.

[0015] The fasteners can pass through the first and second holes from the outside of the monkey chair body to fix the support plate in a fixed state.

[0016] The elastic components allow the support plate to automatically adjust its height according to the monkey's weight while floating. When monkeys of different sizes enter the monkey chair, the support plate stops at a position where the monkey's weight and the elastic force of the components are balanced, thus achieving adaptive adjustment of the support height. This ensures that regardless of the monkey's size, its head can naturally extend out of the monkey chair, avoiding problems such as body curling up or the head not being able to extend due to improper support position, thereby improving the animal's comfort and cooperation during the experiment.

[0017] Meanwhile, the presence of elastic components makes adjusting the height of the support plate much easier and more convenient. Operators no longer need to physically adjust the plate against the monkey's entire weight; instead, they can wait for the support plate to self-position and then lock it in place using fasteners. This not only simplifies the experimental preparation process but also reduces stress on the animals caused by repeated mechanical adjustments.

[0018] In some embodiments, the support portion is configured as a fixing plate fixedly connected to the main body of the monkey chair, the fixing plate being spaced apart from the bottom of the main body of the monkey chair in the height direction, or the support portion is configured as the bottom of the main body of the monkey chair.

[0019] In some embodiments, the support assembly includes a plurality of columns configured to guide the movement of the support plate relative to the load-bearing portion, such that the support plate can maintain a horizontal posture during lifting and lowering.

[0020] In some embodiments, one end of the column is fixedly connected to one of a support plate and a fixing plate, and the column passes through a corresponding through hole in the other of the support plate and the fixing plate.

[0021] In some embodiments, the elastic component is constructed as a spring, which is sleeved on the column so that the elastic force always acts on the support plate in the vertical direction.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first hole and the second hole are round holes, which makes the locking of the support plate more secure.

[0023] In some embodiments, a bushing is provided at the through hole to reduce direct friction between the through hole and the column.

[0024] In some embodiments, the monkey chair body includes a rear wall, and the monkey chair includes an optical platform fixing assembly disposed on the rear wall and configured for a detachable rigid connection with the optical platform. The optical platform fixing assembly enables the monkey chair to be compatible with the optical platform, thereby facilitating better optical-related experiments.

[0025] In some embodiments, a damping material is provided on the surface of the optical platform fixing assembly opposite to the optical platform to reduce vibration.

[0026] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes a lifting platform detachably connected to the lower end of the monkey chair body and configured to support the monkey chair even when the optical platform fixing assembly is rigidly connected to the optical platform. The lifting platform can adjust the height of the monkey chair and reduce the load on the optical platform fixing assembly.

[0027] In some embodiments, the spacing of the first hole is a multiple of the hole spacing of the optical platform.

[0028] In some implementations, the spacing between the plurality of first holes is 25 mm or 12.5 mm to better adapt to the optical platform.

[0029] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes a headrest assembly comprising a support and a universal joint, the universal joint being configured to be rotatable and adjustable relative to the support, and the relative positions of the support and the universal joint being fixed and maintained by a fixing device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the bracket of the head-fixing assembly is mounted on the outer wall of the monkey chair body, particularly through the first hole, to avoid obstructing the monkey's front and back views.

[0031] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes a stabilizing component mounted on the outer wall or upper end of the main body of the monkey chair and configured to secure the monkey's head.

[0032] In some embodiments, the monkey chair body includes a top cover, and the neck ring fixing assembly includes:

[0033] The neck ring slot includes a first slot and a second slot, each having a sliding groove. The monkey's neck ring can be inserted into the sliding grooves of the first and second slots. The positions of the first and second slots relative to the upper cover plate are adjustable in a first direction.

[0034] A neck ring retainer, comprising a first retainer and a second retainer, wherein the position of the first retainer relative to the upper cover plate is adjustable in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; and

[0035] A neck ring buckle, the shape of which matches the shape of the hollow part in the monkey's neck ring and is used to hold the monkey's neck ring in place.

[0036] In some embodiments, the monkey chair body includes a top cover, and the neck ring fixing assembly includes:

[0037] A neck ring slot having a generally U-shaped notch and a groove extending along the notch, into which a monkey's neck ring can be inserted, the neck ring slot being integral with the upper cover plate;

[0038] A neck ring buckle that can be inserted into the hollow part of a monkey's neck ring to hold the monkey's neck ring in place.

[0039] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes a monkey chair door that is movable relative to the main body of the monkey chair between an open position and a closed position.

[0040] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes a first securing device configured to lock the monkey chair door relative to the monkey chair body in a closed position, wherein:

[0041] The first fixing device includes a latch body disposed on the side wall of the monkey chair body and a latch engagement part disposed on the monkey chair door, wherein, in the closed position of the monkey chair door, the latch engagement part of the monkey chair door is engaged with the latch body of the monkey chair body, and / or

[0042] The first fixing device includes a third hole in the side wall of the monkey chair body and a fourth hole in the monkey chair door. In the closed position of the monkey chair door, the fourth hole of the monkey chair door aligns with the third hole in the monkey chair body, allowing the fixing element to pass through both the fourth and third holes to securely connect the monkey chair door to the monkey chair body. This first fixing device prevents monkeys from escaping the monkey chair through the door.

[0043] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes a waste disposal assembly disposed between the load-bearing portion and the support plate. The waste disposal assembly includes a waste disposal box and a drawer seat. The waste disposal box can be inserted into or removed along the drawer seat, and the waste disposal box is provided with absorbent material.

[0044] The support plate is provided with one or more drainage holes. The drainage assembly makes it more convenient to collect and dispose of waste.

[0045] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes reinforcing ribs located at the contact points between the bottom and / or the top cover and the side walls to enhance the structural stability of the monkey chair.

[0046] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes handles on the outer side wall for carrying the monkey chair.

[0047] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes a transfer assembly comprising a push rod, a transfer seat, and wheels, the push rod controlling the direction and speed of the wheels, and the transfer seat configured to support the main body of the monkey chair for moving the monkey chair.

[0048] In some embodiments, the monkey chair includes a water feeding assembly comprising a container, a water pump, and a water feeding pipe, the water feeding pipe being held on the monkey chair body via a mounting member disposed on the upper end or outer wall of the monkey chair body.

[0049] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of using a monkey chair is provided, wherein the monkey chair is the monkey chair described in any embodiment of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the method comprising:

[0050] With the support plate in a floating state, the monkey is placed into the monkey chair; and

[0051] Place the support plate in a fixed position.

[0052] Other features and advantages of the subject matter of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the subject matter of this application. The advantages of the subject matter of this application will be realized and obtained through the structures particularly pointed out in the specification and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative, and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed subject matter of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0053] Exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings to better understand various aspects of this application. In the drawings:

[0054] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a monkey chair according to an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0055] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 Internal structure diagram of the monkey chair;

[0056] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the monkey chair, roughly from a diagonal front, showing the optical platform fixing components rigidly connected to the optical platform.

[0057] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the individual headrest assembly of the monkey chair;

[0058] Figure 5 Show Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of some components of the monkey chair;

[0059] Figure 6 A schematic flowchart illustrating the use of the monkey chair according to an embodiment of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that elements not essential for understanding this application may be omitted from the drawings for ease of illustration and understanding. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts or parts that function identically. In the following description, numerous specific details, such as examples of specific parts, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of this application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that not all of these specific details are necessarily required. Exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limiting.

[0061] Figure 1 A monkey chair 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown. The monkey chair 1 is configured to accommodate a monkey and at least partially restrict the monkey's movement. Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the monkey chair 1 includes:

[0062] The monkey chair body 10 is a hollow box and includes a side wall 11. The side wall 11 is provided with a plurality of first holes 111 arranged at intervals.

[0063] A neck ring fastening assembly 20 is disposed on the upper end of the monkey chair body 10, the neck ring fastening assembly 20 being configured to hold the monkey's neck ring 2; and

[0064] Support assembly 30 (see) is installed in the interior space of monkey chair 1 Figure 2 The monkey chair body 10, the support assembly 30, and the neck ring fixing assembly 20 together define the internal space of the monkey chair 1 for receiving the monkey's body. The support assembly 30 includes:

[0065] - A support plate 31, configured for a monkey to sit on, has a second hole on its side, allowing it to float or be fixed relative to the monkey chair body 10; and

[0066] - At least one elastic member 32 is disposed between the support plate 31 and the bearing portion located below the support plate 31 and fixed in position relative to the monkey chair body 10, such that when the support plate 31 is in a floating state and the monkey is on the support plate 31, the position of the support plate 31 in the monkey chair body 10 is related to the weight of the monkey.

[0067] The fastener can pass through the first hole 111 and the second hole from the outside of the monkey chair body 10 to fix the support plate 31.

[0068] For ease of description, it will be as follows: Figure 2 The direction shown is considered the front of the monkey chair 1. The monkey chair 1 is used to accommodate a monkey and at least partially restrict the monkey's movement, such as... Figure 2 As shown, when the monkey is in the monkey chair 1, the monkey is essentially positioned on the support plate 31, for example, the monkey is crouching or sitting / lying on the support plate 31. The neck collar 2 worn by the monkey can be accommodated and secured in the neck collar fixing assembly 20 in a manner that will be described in more detail below, such that the monkey's head protrudes from and is outside the interior space of the monkey chair 1, while the monkey's body (i.e., limbs and torso) is inside the interior space of the monkey chair 1. Normally, the monkey in the monkey chair 1 faces the front of the monkey chair 1, that is, in Figure 2 The view shown will show the front of the monkey in monkey chair 1.

[0069] Firstly, the support plate 31 can be in a floating state that allows it to move up and down. When a monkey enters the monkey chair body 10 and sits on the support plate 31, the monkey's weight acts on the support plate 31, compressing the elastic component 32 and causing the support plate 31 to automatically descend. Since the supporting force provided by the elastic component 32 is related to its compression, the support plate 31 will eventually be at a certain height when the monkey's weight and the elastic force of the elastic component 32 are balanced. In other words, the final height of the support plate 31 in the monkey chair body 10 is related to the monkey's weight. Larger, heavier monkeys will cause the support plate 31 to descend to a lower position, while smaller, lighter monkeys will cause the support plate 31 to remain at a higher position. After the support plate 31 is adaptively adjusted to a substantially suitable height in the above manner, the operator can insert a fastener (such as a pin or bolt) from outside the monkey chair body 10 through the first hole 111 at the corresponding height on the side wall 11 and further insert it into the second hole on the side of the support plate 31, thereby locking the support plate 31 in a fixed state and eliminating the floating caused by the elastic component 32.

[0070] Through the aforementioned structure, the support plate 31, under the action of the elastic component 32, can automatically adjust its height according to the monkey's weight, allowing monkeys of different sizes to achieve a comfortable sitting posture while ensuring that their heads can smoothly extend out of the monkey chair body 10, avoiding experimental interference caused by improper support height. Simultaneously, the elastic component 32 provides auxiliary support during adjustment, eliminating the need for operators to overcome the monkey's entire weight when adjusting the support plate 31 to the appropriate height, and especially eliminating the need for manual lifting or lowering of the support plate 31 supporting the monkey, making the adjustment process labor-saving and convenient. Furthermore, through the cooperation of multiple first holes 111 spaced apart on the side wall 11 and second holes on the support plate 31, the support plate 31 can be reliably locked at the required height, ensuring the stability of the monkey's posture during the experiment. The monkey chair 1 possesses broad adaptability to different individuals.

[0071] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the supporting part can be constructed as a fixing plate 33 fixedly connected to the main body 10 of the monkey chair, and the fixing plate 33 is spaced apart from the bottom 12 of the main body 10 of the monkey chair in the height direction. Figure 2 As shown, the fixed plate 33, together with the support plate 31 and the elastic component 32, constitute a relatively independent support assembly 30, which facilitates overall assembly and maintenance, and also makes it convenient to replace the support assembly 30 of different specifications according to different experimental needs.

[0072] Additionally, in some embodiments, the support assembly 30 may include a plurality of columns 34 configured to guide the movement of the support plate 31 relative to the load-bearing portion. Guided by the columns 34, the support plate 31 can maintain a horizontal posture during lifting and lowering, avoiding tilting or jamming caused by the monkey's center of gravity shift.

[0073] Furthermore, one end of the column 34 can be fixedly connected to one of the support plate 31 and the fixing plate 33, and the column 34 can pass through a corresponding through hole in the other of the support plate 31 and the fixing plate 33. With this connection method, the column 34, because one end is fixed, can maintain a vertical orientation and will not tilt; the part passing through the through hole can restrict the movement path of the support plate 31 to the vertical direction by cooperating with the hole wall. Preferably, the column 34 is fixedly connected to the support plate 31, and the column 34 passes through a corresponding through hole in the fixing plate 33. In this way, the entire column 34 is located below the support plate 31 and does not extend into the space above the support plate 31, thereby avoiding contact between the column and the monkey's body and eliminating potential scratches or collision damage caused by the monkey's activities.

[0074] Based on this, a bushing 35 can be installed at the through hole. The bushing 35 can reduce the friction and wear between the column 34 and the through hole, making the lifting and lowering of the support plate 31 smoother. Furthermore, when the bushing 35 wears out due to long-term use, only the bushing 35 needs to be replaced to restore the fit accuracy, without having to replace the entire fixing plate 33, thus reducing maintenance costs and difficulty.

[0075] Furthermore, the elastic component 32 can be constructed as a spring, which is sleeved on the column. This allows the column 34 to radially limit the spring, effectively preventing bending or lateral displacement during compression, ensuring that the elastic force always acts vertically (height direction) on the support plate 31. It is understood that the elastic component 32 can also employ other forms of elastic elements, such as elastic rubber columns, spring sheets, gas springs, or hydraulic dampers, as long as they can provide upward support force and allow the support plate 31 to automatically adjust its height under load.

[0076] In other embodiments, the support portion can be constructed as the bottom 12 of the monkey chair body 10. This design simplifies the overall structure of the support assembly 30, reduces the number of parts, and lowers manufacturing costs and assembly complexity. Meanwhile, the elastic component 32 is directly supported on the bottom 12 of the monkey chair, resulting in a more stable structure.

[0077] In some embodiments, the first hole 111 and the second hole are circular holes. Compared to, for example, a waist-shaped hole extending longitudinally in the height direction of the monkey chair 1, a circular hole provides a tighter fit with the fastener. In particular, when using, for example, a waist-shaped first hole 111, the fastener inserted into the first hole 111 and the second hole needs to be tightened to fix the support plate 31. In this case, the holding force for the support plate 31 is mainly provided by the friction between the fastener and the side wall 11. In contrast, when the first hole 111 and the second hole are circular holes, simply passing the fastener through the first hole 111 and the second hole is sufficient to provide a certain degree of support for the support plate 31 in the height direction of the monkey chair 1 by the fastener abutting against the inner wall of the first hole 111. This is easier for the operator to operate, and the support plate 31 is more stable after being locked. At the same time, the circular hole processing technology is simple and easy to manufacture.

[0078] The monkey chair 1 disclosed herein is suitable for conducting optically-related behavioral experiments. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the monkey chair body 10 may include a rear wall 13, and the monkey chair 1 includes an optical platform fixing assembly 40, which is disposed on the rear wall 13 and configured to be detachably rigidly connected to the optical platform 3.

[0079] In some embodiments, the optical platform fixing assembly 40 may include a mounting plate, one side of which is perpendicularly connected to the rear wall 13, and the other side extends to form a plane that fits against the surface of the optical platform 3. This plane may have multiple mounting holes for detachable rigid connection with corresponding holes on the optical platform 3 using fasteners (such as bolts). In this way, the monkey chair 1 can be securely mounted on the optical platform 3, maintaining a precise relative position with the optical equipment on the platform, thus meeting the requirements of high-precision optical experiments. The detachable connection also facilitates the movement and rearrangement of the monkey chair 1 in different experimental scenarios.

[0080] Additionally, a damping material may be provided on the surface of the optical platform fixing assembly 40 opposite to the optical platform 3. The damping material may be, for example, a rubber pad or a silicone pad. The damping material can absorb and buffer vibrations generated by the monkey's activities during the experiment, thereby reducing interference with the optical imaging or recording equipment.

[0081] Furthermore, the monkey chair 1 may include a lifting platform 50, which can be detachably connected to the lower end of the monkey chair body 10 and is configured to support the monkey chair 1, for example, when the optical platform fixing assembly 40 of the monkey chair 1 is rigidly connected to the optical platform 3.

[0082] like Figure 3 As shown, the lifting platform 50 may include a top plate 51, a bottom plate 53, and a lifting column 52 connecting the top plate and the bottom plate. The top plate 51 is detachably connected to the lower end of the monkey chair body 10 (i.e., the bottom of the monkey chair body 10), for example, by bolts. Multiple casters 54 are provided under the bottom plate for easy movement of the monkey chair 1. Multiple adjustable support feet 55 are also provided under the bottom plate 53 to provide stable support when the lifting platform 50 contacts the ground after moving to a predetermined position. When it is necessary to connect the optical platform fixing assembly 40 of the monkey chair 1 to the optical platform 3, the height of the monkey chair body 10 is adjusted by the lifting column to align the optical platform fixing assembly 40 with the optical platform 3 and complete the rigid connection. After connection, the support feet are adjusted to make the lifting platform 50 firmly supported on the ground. At this time, the weight of the monkey chair 1 can be mainly borne by the lifting platform 50, while the optical platform fixing assembly 40 is only used for position fixing, ensuring the stability of the connection and preventing the optical platform 3 and the optical platform fixing assembly 40 from bearing excessive loads.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first holes 111 on the sidewall 11 can be arranged in a matrix. In some embodiments, the spacing of the first holes 111 (e.g., lateral and / or longitudinal spacing) can be a multiple of the hole spacing on the optical platform 3. The multiple can be a fractional multiple or an integer multiple. The hole spacing on the optical platform 3 is typically 25 mm. Preferably, the spacing of the plurality of first holes 111 is 25 mm or 12.5 mm. This arrangement allows the spacing of the first holes 111 on the sidewall 11 to match the spacing of the standard mounting holes on the optical platform 3, allowing optical equipment or accessories to be directly mounted on the sidewall 11, or the mounting position of the monkey chair 1 on the optical platform 3 to be flexibly adjusted. The matching of the hole spacing of the first holes 111 on the sidewall 11 with the standard mounting holes on the optical platform 3 allows the position adjustment steps of the components of the monkey chair 1 and / or related optical equipment or accessories to be matched, for example, with the position adjustment steps of other components on the optical platform 3, which helps to ensure the alignment and positional fit between various components, especially those related to optical imaging, and improves the compatibility and ease of use of the monkey chair 1 and the optical platform 3. Understandably, multiple holes may also be provided on the upper end of the monkey chair 1 (e.g., the upper cover plate 14 and / or neck ring slot 21, which will be described in detail later) to facilitate the installation of various components. These multiple holes may be arranged in a matrix, and the spacing between these multiple holes (e.g., lateral spacing and / or longitudinal spacing) may also be a multiple of the hole spacing of the optical platform 3.

[0084] Optical-related behavioral experiments require high precision in positioning the monkey's head. In some embodiments, the monkey chair 1 may include a head fixation component 60, which includes a support 61 and a universal joint 62. The universal joint 62 is configured to be rotatable and adjustable relative to the support 61, and the relative position of the support 61 and the universal joint 62 can be fixed and maintained by a fixation device.

[0085] like Figure 4As shown, the bracket 61 may include a column base 611, a first column 612, an adapter 613, a second column 614, and an L-shaped connector 615. The column base 611 can be installed on the side wall 11 or upper part of the monkey chair body 10 to support the entire head-fixing assembly 60. The first column 612 is vertically connected to the column base 611, and the adapter 613 is located at the upper end of the first column 612 and its height can be adjusted along the first column 612. The second column 614 is horizontally connected to the adapter 613 and its front-to-back position can be adjusted along the adapter 613. One end of the L-shaped connector 615 is connected to the end of the second column 614, and the other end is used to install a universal joint 62. The universal joint 62 is constructed to be able to rotate and adjust relative to the L-shaped connector 615 at multiple angles to adapt to the orientation of different monkey head posts. After being adjusted to the appropriate position, the relative positions of the universal joint 62 and the L-shaped connector 615 are locked by a fixing device (such as a locking screw) to keep the monkey's head stable and in a forward-looking state, which is convenient for optical recording or stimulation experiments.

[0086] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the bracket 61 of the head fixation component 60 can preferably be installed on the outer wall of the monkey chair body 10, particularly via the first hole 111. Since the optical path of optical experiments is usually arranged along the front or back of the monkey, this installation position allows the head fixation component 60 to be located on the side of the monkey chair 1, avoiding obstruction of the monkey's front and back optical paths, such as the monkey's field of vision or imaging path, thus facilitating the smooth conduct of optical imaging or stimulation experiments.

[0087] Additionally or alternatively, the monkey chair 1 includes a stabilizing component mounted on the outer wall or upper end of the monkey chair body 10, particularly via holes in the outer wall or upper end, and configured to secure the monkey's head. The stabilizing component can be used in conjunction with the head fixation component 60 to provide a secondary fixation effect, for example, by abutting or clamping the sides or back of the monkey's head through additional contact points, further limiting minute head displacements (e.g., in some experimental scenarios, monkey head displacement can be limited to within 3 micrometers), ensuring absolute head stability during long-term optical recording or high-precision stimulation experiments.

[0088] In some embodiments, the monkey chair body 10 includes an upper cover plate 14, and the neck ring fixing assembly 20 includes a neck ring slot 21, a neck ring plate 22, and a neck ring buckle 23, such as Figure 5 As shown.

[0089] The neck collar slot 21 includes a first slot 211 and a second slot 212. The first slot 211 and the second slot 212 each have opposing sliding grooves. The monkey's neck collar 2 can be inserted into the sliding grooves of the first slot 211 and the second slot 212. The positions of the first slot 211 and the second slot 212 relative to the upper cover plate 14 are adjustable in a first direction. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the first direction can be the left-right direction of the monkey chair 1. By adjusting the left-right positions of the first slot 211 and the second slot 212, the width differences of different monkey neck rings can be accommodated, ensuring that the neck ring 2 can be smoothly inserted into the slide groove.

[0090] The neck ring retainer 22 includes a first retainer 221 and a second retainer 222. The position of the first retainer 221 relative to the upper cover 14 is adjustable in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction can be the front-to-back direction of the monkey chair 1. By adjusting and locking the front-to-back position of the first retainer 221, the monkey can be restrained from the rear, keeping its front-to-back position centered. The second retainer 222 is located in front of the neck ring and is used to restrain the monkey's arm position, preventing the monkey's hands from extending out of the monkey chair body 10 or scratching the head fixation area during the experiment. The second retainer 222 can be replaced according to the monkey's size. For example, for smaller monkeys, the gap between the neck ring 2 and the front edge of the monkey chair 1, such as the monkey chair door 15 which will be described in detail later, is larger. A larger retainer can be used to fill this gap, achieving more effective restraint on the arms.

[0091] The shape of the neck ring buckle 23 matches the shape of the hollow portion in the monkey's neck ring 2 and is used to retain the monkey's neck ring. For example, the hollow portion can be constructed as a circular, elliptical, or polygonal hole, and the neck ring buckle 23 is correspondingly constructed as a columnar or block-shaped structure that can be inserted into the hollow portion.

[0092] With the above structure, the neck ring fixing assembly 20 can adapt to monkeys of different sizes: in use, the left and right positions of the first slot 211 and the second slot 212 can be adjusted according to the width of the monkey's neck ring, so that both sides of the neck ring 2 can be smoothly inserted into the sliding groove; the front and back positions of the first locking plate 221 can be adjusted according to the size of the monkey's body, so that it maintains a suitable contact or distance with the monkey's body; the second locking plate 222, with its fixed position, restrains the arm. After the neck ring buckle 23 is inserted into the hollow part of the neck ring 2, it locks the neck ring in the slot to prevent it from falling out. When it is necessary to release the monkey, the neck ring buckle 23 can be pulled out from the hollow part, and the neck ring 2 is in a movable state relative to the neck ring slot 21, making it easy to remove the monkey from the monkey chair 1. Through the multi-directional adjustment of the first slot 211, the second slot 212 and the first plate 221, as well as the locking and releasing of the neck ring buckle 23, the neck ring fixing component 20 can reliably fix and easily unlock the neck ring on monkeys of different sizes, while the second plate 222 effectively restricts the range of arm movement.

[0093] In other embodiments, the monkey chair body 10 may include a top cover 14, and the neck ring fixing assembly 20 includes a neck ring slot 21 and a neck ring buckle 23. The neck ring buckle 23 can be inserted into the hollow part of the monkey's neck ring 2 to hold the monkey's neck ring 2, which will not be described in detail here.

[0094] The neck ring slot 21 has a generally U-shaped notch and a groove extending along the notch, into which the monkey's neck ring 2 can be inserted. The neck ring slot 21 is integral with the upper cover plate 14. The neck ring slot 21 has an open end and a closed arc-shaped bottom, and continuous grooves are provided on the inner wall or edge of the U-shaped notch. The monkey's neck ring 2 can be inserted from the open end and slide along the groove to the bottom position of the notch.

[0095] Here, the neck ring slot 21 and the upper cover plate 14 are integrally formed, eliminating the need for additional adjustment mechanisms and parts. This design is simple, easy to manufacture, and low in cost. For experimental monkey groups of similar size, this fixed design is sufficient to meet the usage requirements and is also easier and faster to operate.

[0096] To facilitate the placement and removal of monkeys before and after the experiment, the monkey chair 1 may include a monkey chair door 15, which can move relative to the main body 10 of the monkey chair between an open position and a closed position, such as... Figure 1 As shown. In some embodiments, as Figure 5 As shown, a viewing window 151 can be provided at the monkey chair door 15 to better observe the monkey's condition inside the monkey chair 1. The viewing window 151 can be fixed to the monkey chair door 15 by embedding, such as by snap-fit, adhesive or frame structure; or it can be installed in a detachable manner, such as by screws or quick-release structure, for easy cleaning or replacement.

[0097] In order to lock the monkey chair door 15 in the closed position relative to the monkey chair body 10, the monkey chair 1 may include a first fixing device 16.

[0098] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the first fixing device 16 includes a latch body 161 disposed on the side wall 11 of the monkey chair body 10 and a latch engagement part 162 disposed on the monkey chair door. When the monkey chair door 15 is in the closed position, the latch engagement part 162 of the monkey chair door 15 is engaged with the latch body 161 of the monkey chair body 10. To open, the latch body 161 is reversed to disengage from the latch engagement part 162, thus unlocking the device. This latch-type fixing device is quick to operate and facilitates rapid loading and unloading of monkeys during experiments.

[0099] In other embodiments, such as Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, the first fixing device 16 includes a third hole 163 in the side wall 11 of the monkey chair body 10 and a fourth hole 164 in the monkey chair door 15. In the closed position of the monkey chair door 15, the fourth hole 164 of the monkey chair door 15 is aligned with the third hole 163 of the monkey chair body 10, allowing fixing elements (such as pins, bolts, or locking screws) to pass through the fourth hole 164 and the third hole 163 to securely connect the monkey chair door 15 to the monkey chair body 10. To open, the fixing elements can be pulled out or unscrewed. This pin- or bolt-type fixing device is simple and reliable, providing strong locking force to prevent the monkey chair door 15 from accidentally opening during experiments.

[0100] It is understandable that the two types of first fixing devices 16 mentioned above can also be used in combination. The fasteners enable quick initial locking, and the pins or bolts provide secondary reinforcement, which can further improve the reliability of the locking and effectively prevent the monkeys from escaping by accidentally opening the monkey chair door 15 due to struggling or collisions during the experiment.

[0101] During the experiment, the monkeys may excrete waste. To ensure the timely collection and disposal of monkey excrement and maintain a clean and hygienic environment inside the monkey chair 1, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the monkey chair 1 may include a sewage discharge assembly 70 disposed between the load-bearing part (fixed plate 33 in the figure) and the support plate 31. The sewage discharge assembly 70 includes a sewage discharge box 71 and a drawer seat 72. The sewage discharge box 71 can be inserted or pulled out along the drawer seat 72. The sewage discharge box 71 is provided with an absorbent material. The support plate 31 is provided with one or more sewage discharge holes.

[0102] In use, absorbent material (such as an absorbent pad, sawdust, etc.) can be pre-placed in the waste discharge box 71. Then, the waste discharge box 71 is pushed into the monkey chair body 10 along the drawer seat 72, positioning it below the support plate 31. During the experiment, the monkey's excrement falls into the waste discharge box 71 through the drainage holes on the support plate 31 and is absorbed or encapsulated by the absorbent material. After the experiment, the waste discharge box 71 is removed, and the absorbent material is cleaned.

[0103] In some embodiments, the monkey chair 1 may include reinforcing ribs 17 disposed at the contact points between the bottom 12 and / or the top cover 14 and the side wall 11. For example... Figure 2 As shown, L-shaped reinforcing ribs 17 can be provided at the four corners of the main body 10 of the monkey chair. The two wings of the reinforcing ribs 17 are respectively attached to the bottom 12 / top cover plate 14 and the side wall 11, and are fixedly connected to the bottom 12 / top cover plate 14 and the side wall 11 by welding, bolting or other means. The reinforcing ribs 17 can effectively increase the structural strength and rigidity of the connection between the bottom 12 / top cover plate 14 and the side wall 11.

[0104] To facilitate the handling and movement of the monkey chair 1, the monkey chair 1 may include: a handle 18 disposed on the outer side wall; and / or a transfer assembly 80.

[0105] like Figure 2 As shown, handles 18 can be located on opposite sides of the monkey chair body 10, making it convenient for experimenters to lift or move the monkey chair 1 by applying force with both hands. The handles 18 can have a convex structure, and the surface can be provided with anti-slip texture to increase grip friction.

[0106] like Figure 1 As shown, the transfer assembly 80 may include a push rod 81, a transfer seat 82, and wheels 83. The transfer seat 82 is configured to support the monkey chair body 10, and its upper part has a surface that mates with the bottom 12 of the monkey chair body 10. The bottom 12 is preferably flat, so that the monkey chair 1 remains stable when placed on the transfer seat 82. The wheels 83 are mounted below the transfer seat 82, and the experimenter can control the direction and speed of the wheels 83 through the push rod 81. The wheels 83 may be omnidirectional wheels for easy steering, and some wheels may be equipped with brakes to lock the monkey chair 1 after reaching a predetermined position.

[0107] During behavioral training or long-term experiments, in order to motivate monkeys to cooperate with the experiment or meet their basic physiological needs, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the monkey chair 1 may include a water feeding assembly 90, which includes a container (not shown in the figure), a water pump (not shown in the figure), and a water feeding pipe 91.

[0108] The container is used to store experimental reward water or beverages, and the water pump is connected to the container and controls the delivery of the liquid. One end of the water supply tube 91 is connected to the water pump, and the other end extends to the vicinity of the monkey's mouth. The water supply tube 91 is held on the monkey chair body 10 via a mounting member 92 provided on the upper end or outer wall of the monkey chair body 10, and is located to the side or below the monkey, so as not to obstruct or interfere with the optical experimental light path arranged along the front or back of the monkey. The mounting member 92 can be a structure such as a clamp, a holder, or an adjustable bracket. The mounting member 92 is preferably an adjustable bracket, for example, capable of rotating the water outlet end of the water supply tube 91 according to the position of the monkey's mouth, thereby quickly adjusting the water supply angle to accommodate monkeys of different sizes. For example, the mounting member 92 can be installed via a first hole 111 on the side wall 11 and / or a hole on the top cover plate 14 and / or a hole on the neck ring slot 21. In some embodiments, the water pump and container can be provided, for example, at the lifting platform 50.

[0109] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides a method of using the monkey chair. It will be understood that the actual method may include other steps, but to avoid obscuring the main points of this disclosure, these other steps are not shown in the accompanying drawings and will not be discussed herein.

[0110] Figure 6A flowchart illustrating a method of using the monkey chair according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6 As shown, method 4 includes steps S402 to S404.

[0111] In step S402, with the support plate in a floating state, the monkey is placed into the monkey chair. At this time, the support plate 31 automatically adjusts to a suitable height according to the monkey's weight under the action of the elastic member 32.

[0112] In step S404, the support plate is placed in a fixed state. That is, the support plate 31 is locked by passing a fastener through the first hole 111 at the corresponding height on the side wall 11 and the second hole on the support plate 31.

[0113] Method 4 of this disclosure is implemented based on the monkey chair 1 described in any of the foregoing embodiments. Its specific structure and operation details can be found in the previous description of the monkey chair 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0114] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. The singular forms “a” and “the one” as used herein should include the plural forms unless the context explicitly states otherwise. It is understood that the terms “comprising” and “including,” and other similar terms, when used in the application documents, specifically describe the presence of the stated operation, element, and / or component, without excluding the presence or addition of one or more other operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all arbitrary combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals always denote similar elements.

[0115] The thickness of the elements in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. It is also understood that if an element is described as being on, coupled to, or connected to another element, then the element may be directly formed on, coupled to, or connected to the other element, or there may be one or more intermediate elements between them. Conversely, if the expressions "directly on," "directly coupled to," and "directly connected to" are used herein, it indicates that there is no intermediate element. Other terms used to describe relationships between elements should be interpreted similarly, such as "between" and "directly between," "attached" and "directly attached," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.

[0116] Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “over,” “under,” etc., are used to describe the relationship of one element, layer, or region relative to another element, layer, or region, as shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that these terms should also encompass other orientations of the device in addition to those described in the accompanying drawings.

[0117] It is understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe different elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. Therefore, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the teachings of this application.

[0118] It can also be considered that all the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein can be arbitrarily combined with each other. Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely for understanding this application and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For those skilled in the art, modifications can be made based on the above embodiments, and these modifications do not depart from the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A monkey chair, the monkey chair being configured to accommodate a monkey and at least partially restrict the monkey's movement, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes: The main body of the monkey chair is a hollow box and includes side walls, on which a plurality of first holes are arranged at intervals. A neck collar securing assembly is disposed on the upper end of the main body of the monkey chair, the neck collar securing assembly being configured to retain the monkey's neck collar; and A support assembly disposed within the interior space of the monkey chair, wherein the monkey chair body, the support assembly, and the neck collar fixing assembly together define the interior space of the monkey chair for receiving the monkey's body, the support assembly comprising: - A support plate configured for a monkey to sit on, the support plate having a second hole on its side, the support plate being able to float or be fixed relative to the main body of the monkey chair; and - At least one elastic member disposed between a support plate and a load-bearing portion located below the support plate and fixed relative to the main body of the monkey chair, such that when the support plate is in a floating state and the monkey is on the support plate, the position of the support plate in the main body of the monkey chair is related to the weight of the monkey. The fasteners can pass through the first and second holes from the outside of the monkey chair body to fix the support plate in a fixed state.

2. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supporting part is constructed as a fixing plate that is fixedly connected to the main body of the monkey chair. The fixing plate is spaced apart from the bottom of the main body of the monkey chair in the height direction, or the supporting part is constructed as the bottom of the main body of the monkey chair.

3. The monkey chair according to claim 2, characterized in that, The support assembly includes a plurality of columns, which are configured to guide the movement of the support plate relative to the load-bearing portion.

4. The monkey chair according to claim 3, characterized in that, One end of the column is fixedly connected to one of the support plate and the fixing plate, and the column passes through a corresponding through hole in the other of the support plate and the fixing plate.

5. The monkey chair according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The elastic component is constructed as a spring, which is sleeved on the column.

6. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first hole and the second hole are round holes.

7. The monkey chair according to claim 4, characterized in that, A bushing is provided at the through hole.

8. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the monkey chair includes a rear wall, and the monkey chair includes: An optical platform fixing assembly is disposed on the rear wall and configured for detachable rigid connection with the optical platform.

9. The monkey chair according to claim 8, characterized in that, A shock-absorbing material is provided on the surface of the optical platform fixing assembly opposite to the optical platform.

10. The monkey chair according to claim 8, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes a lifting platform that is detachably connected to the lower end of the main body of the monkey chair and is configured to support the monkey chair when the optical platform fixing assembly of the monkey chair is rigidly connected to the optical platform.

11. The monkey chair according to claim 8, characterized in that, The spacing of the first hole is a multiple of the hole spacing of the optical platform.

12. The monkey chair according to claim 8, characterized in that, The spacing between the plurality of first holes is 25 mm or 12.5 mm.

13. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes: A head-fixing assembly, comprising a bracket and a universal joint, the universal joint being configured to be rotatable and adjustable relative to the bracket, and the relative positions of the bracket and the universal joint being fixed and maintained by a fixing device.

14. The monkey chair according to claim 13, characterized in that, The bracket of the head fixation component is mounted on the outer wall of the monkey chair body, particularly via the first hole.

15. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes a stabilizing component mounted on the outer wall or upper end of the main body of the monkey chair and configured to secure the monkey's head.

16. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the monkey chair includes an upper cover plate, and the neck ring fixing assembly includes: The neck ring slot includes a first slot and a second slot, each having a sliding groove. The monkey's neck ring can be inserted into the sliding grooves of the first and second slots. The positions of the first and second slots relative to the upper cover plate are adjustable in a first direction. A neck ring retainer, comprising a first retainer and a second retainer, wherein the position of the first retainer relative to the upper cover plate is adjustable in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; and A neck ring buckle, the shape of which matches the shape of the hollow part in the monkey's neck ring and is used to hold the monkey's neck ring in place.

17. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body of the monkey chair includes an upper cover plate, and the neck ring fixing assembly includes: A neck ring slot having a generally U-shaped notch and a groove extending along the notch, into which a monkey's neck ring can be inserted, the neck ring slot being integral with the upper cover plate; A neck ring buckle that can be inserted into the hollow part of a monkey's neck ring to hold the monkey's neck ring in place.

18. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes a monkey chair door that can move between an open position and a closed position relative to the main body of the monkey chair.

19. The monkey chair according to claim 18, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes a first fixing device configured to lock the monkey chair door relative to the monkey chair body in a closed position, wherein: The first fixing device includes a latch body disposed on the side wall of the monkey chair body and a latch engagement part disposed on the monkey chair door, wherein, in the closed position of the monkey chair door, the latch engagement part of the monkey chair door is engaged with the latch body of the monkey chair body, and / or The first fixing device includes a third hole in the side wall of the monkey chair body and a fourth hole in the monkey chair door. In the closed position of the monkey chair door, the fourth hole of the monkey chair door is aligned with the third hole of the monkey chair body, so that the fixing element can pass through the fourth hole and the third hole to fix the monkey chair door to the monkey chair body.

20. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes a waste drainage assembly disposed between the load-bearing part and the support plate. The waste drainage assembly includes a waste drainage box and a drawer seat. The waste drainage box can be inserted or removed along the drawer seat. The waste drainage box is provided with absorbent material. The support plate is provided with one or more drainage holes.

21. The monkey chair according to claim 1 or 16, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes reinforcing ribs located at the contact points between the bottom and / or the top cover and the side walls.

22. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes: Handles installed on the outer wall; and / or The transfer assembly includes a push rod, a transfer seat, and wheels. The push rod controls the direction and speed of the wheels. The transfer seat is configured to support the main body of the monkey chair.

23. The monkey chair according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monkey chair includes a water feeding assembly, which includes a container, a water pump, and a water feeding pipe. The water feeding pipe is held on the monkey chair body via a mounting piece located on the upper end or outer wall of the monkey chair body.

24. A method of using a monkey chair, characterized in that, The monkey chair is the monkey chair according to any one of claims 1-23, and the method includes: With the support plate in a floating state, the monkey is placed into the monkey chair; and Place the support plate in a fixed position.

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