Hinge assembly

A hinge assembly for rotatably coupling a first member to a second member, said assembly comprising:

• a friction element for being secured to said first member and having an internal surface, said internal surface defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first diameter and a longitudinal axis, said friction element including configuration means for providing the friction element with substantially uniform strength in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a generally cylindrical pintle for being secured to the second member and including an external surface, said external surface of said pintle defining a second diameter, said second diameter being greater than or equal to said first diameter said pintle being positioned within said cavity with an interference fit such that said external surface of said pintle is in facing frictional engagement with said internal surface of said friction element and the configuration means causes the friction element to evenly apply generally radially extending substantially uniform compressive forces to said pintle whereby the substantially uniform forces provide torque transfer and angular positional control of said pintle with respect to said friction element.