OPERATION ROD LINKING STRUCTURE AND CONNECTING MEMBER

Provided is an operational rod coupling arrangement that can be comprised of fewer number of parts and that allows easy assembly. Provided also is a connecting member for use in the coupling arrangement. The arrangement includes a motion member constituting a portion of a motion mechanism, an operational rod having a coupling hole at an end thereof to be pivotally coupled with the motion member for transmitting an operational force thereto and a connecting member configured to clamp the end of the operational rod in cooperation with a portion of the motion member. One of the motion member and the connecting member includes a shaft portion and the other one of the motion member and the connecting member includes a bearing portion in which the shaft portion can be inserted. The shaft portion, as extending through the coupling hole of the operational rod, can be inserted into the bearing portion. An engaging portion and an engaged portion for preventing withdrawal of the shaft portion from the bearing portion are provided at different positions than the shaft portion and the bearing portion in the connecting member and the motion member, respectively.