A protective member such as a helmet includes an outer layer and an inner layer interconnected by multiple connectors, such as extension springs, under tension along their longitudinal axis. The connectors absorb energy from an impact force by resisting further tension along their longitudinal axis and allow the outer layer and inner layer to move relative to each other. In the helmet application, the head of a user experiences less impact force, reduced change in momentum or position of the head and neck, reduced head and neck loads and reduced amounts of linear and rotational acceleration. The protective member can be used in numerous applications and environments, including for participants in sports, in applications including bumpers, passenger cabins, car seats and beds.

A vehicle-bumper assembly includes a vehicle bumper and a rod having a first end fixed to the vehicle bumper and a second end spaced from the first end along an elongated axis of the rod. A collar is fixed to the rod between the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod, the collar including a pyrotechnically-activated release releasable from the rod. A spring is retained on the rod between the collar and the vehicle bumper.

A vehicle-bumper assembly includes a vehicle bumper and a rod having a first end fixed to the vehicle bumper and a second end spaced from the first end along an elongated axis of the rod. A collar is fixed to the rod between the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod, the collar including a pyrotechnically-activated release releasable from the rod. A spring is retained on the rod between the collar and the vehicle bumper.

A vehicle-bumper assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle bumper and a rod. The rod has a first end fixable to the vehicle bumper and a second end spaced from the first end along an elongated axis of the rod. A collar is fixed to the rod between the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod. The collar includes a pyrotechnically-activated release releasable from the rod. A coil spring has an inner diameter sized to be received by the rod.

A vehicle-bumper assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle bumper and a rod. The rod has a first end fixable to the vehicle bumper and a second end spaced from the first end along an elongated axis of the rod. A collar is fixed to the rod between the first end of the rod and the second end of the rod. The collar includes a pyrotechnically-activated release releasable from the rod. A coil spring has an inner diameter sized to be received by the rod.

A vehicle-bumper assembly includes a bumper and a rod fixed relative to the bumper and elongated along an axis. A bracket is spaced from the bumper along the axis of the rod. The rod is movably engaged with the bracket 16 between a design position and a retracted position. A spring 18 is between the bumper and the bracket. The spring resiliently forces the bumper away from the bracket along the axis of the rod toward the design position. A keeper is releasably engaged with the bracket. The keeper maintains the rod in the design position when the keeper is engaged with the bracket. A lock is movable from a locked position in which the lock couples the keeper and the bracket and an unlocked position in which the lock is decoupled with the keeper and/or the bracket.

A vehicle-bumper assembly includes a bumper and a rod fixed relative to the bumper and elongated along an axis. A bracket is spaced from the bumper along the axis of the rod. The rod is movably engaged with the bracket 16 between a design position and a retracted position. A spring 18 is between the bumper and the bracket. The spring resiliently forces the bumper away from the bracket along the axis of the rod toward the design position. A keeper is releasably engaged with the bracket. The keeper maintains the rod in the design position when the keeper is engaged with the bracket. A lock is movable from a locked position in which the lock couples the keeper and the bracket and an unlocked position in which the lock is decoupled with the keeper and/or the bracket.