A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member which includes a friction element for being secured to the first member. The friction element has an internal surface defining a generally cylindrical cavity. The friction element is geometrically configured to have substantially uniform strength. A generally cylindrical pintle for being secured to the second member includes an external surface and is positioned within the cavity with the external surface of the pintle being in facing frictional engagement with the internal surface of the friction element. As such, substantially uniform forces are created between the external surface of the pintle and the internal surface of the friction element to provide torque transfer and angular positional control of the pintle with respect to the friction element.