Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a helmet suspension system including a number of levers, wherein a first lever of the number of levers rotates about a fulcrum in response to an impact force of a collision between a helmet shell and a foreign object to obtain a lever response. The system includes a sacrificial assembly including a first deformable member, wherein the sacrificial assembly is in communication with a group of levers of the number of levers. A first strain applied to the first deformable member according to the lever response to obtain a first stress response of the first deformable member based on a first stress-strain relationship including a non-linear response. The first stress response of the first deformable member includes the non-linear response, wherein the first stress response reduces a portion of the impact force transmitted to a body of a user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a protective shell having an exterior surface and an interior surface and a lever assembly positioned between the interior surface of the protective shell and a portion of a body. The lever assembly includes a lever having an elongated member extending between a first end and a second end and a pivot location. A fulcrum pivotally engages the pivot location of the lever, wherein the lever rotates about the fulcrum in response to an impact force applied along a first direction to the exterior surface of the protective shell. The lever assembly further includes a spring engaging the lever, wherein a rotation of the lever deforms the spring in a second direction to absorb a portion of a kinetic energy of the collision to redirect and reduce a transfer of a portion of force to the body. Other embodiments are disclosed.