Dual activated pneumatic actuator system

A dual activated pneumatic actuator system for a patient call system, comprising:

• (a) a dual function hand held actuator for a pneumatic patient call system, comprising:
• an upper portion including a first opening and a second opening,
• a lower portion for supporting the top portion and including a first air pressurizing structure corresponding to and communicating with the first opening of the upper portion and a second air pressurizing structure corresponding to and communicating with the second opening of the upper portion,
• a first air pressure dome received in the first air pressurizing structure of the lower portion and projecting through the first opening of the upper portion,
• a second air pressure dome received in the second air pressurizing structure of the lower portion and projecting through the second opening of the upper portion,
• a first air conduit in communication with the first air pressurizing structure of the lower portion for delivering pressurized air for producing an electrical signal in a nurse station when the first air pressure dome is depressed, and
• a second air conduit in communication with the second air pressurizing structure of the lower portion for delivering pressurized air for producing an electrical signal for operating an electrical device when the second air pressure dome is depressed,
• (b) a pneumatically actuated switching device connected electronically to a circuit for producing the electrical signal in a the nurse station and for producing the electrical signal for operating the electrical device, and
• (c) an air conduit system comprising a first air supply line communicating with the first device and a second air supply line communicating with the second device.

A pneumatically actuated switching device comprising:

• an actuator housing;
• a divider element in the actuator housing for dividing the actuator housing into at least a first compartment and a second compartment;
• a first cylinder located in the first compartment;
• a second cylinder located in the second compartment;
• a plug switch having a sleeve extending into the actuator housing and having a first electrical connection connected to the sleeve of the plug switch and to the divider element, a second electrical connection connected to the nurse station, and a third electrical connection connected to an electronic device,
• a cap having a snap fit into the top of the actuator housing and including a first contact for completing a first circuit when the first cylinder slides against the first contact and a second contact for completing a second circuit when the second cylinder slides against the second contact;
• a first air conduit means associated with the first compartment of the actuator housing for receiving pressurized air which forces the first cylinder against the first contact of the cap for completing the first circuit,
• a second air conduit means associated with the second compartment of the actuator housing for receiving pressurized air which forces the second cylinder against the second contact of the cap for completing the second circuit, and
• wherein the plug switch has a first enlarged radial area representing the first circuit and a second enlarged radial area representing the second circuit, and
• wherein the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection are associated with the first enlarged radial area of the plug switch to send a signal to the nurse station and the first electrical connection and the third electrical connection are associated with the second enlarged radial area of the plug switch and sends a signal to the electronic device.