second stage 42 is also deflected outwardly to a deflected shape 42 u2033 thus the first and second stages 40 and 42 progressively deflect as springs in series that exhibit different relative spring rates these deflected shapes 40 u2032 40 u2033 and 42 u2033 are generally the shapes exhibited when an axial compressive load is applied to the top surface the first and second stages 40 and 42 may also bend by different amounts in response to a glancing blow or shearing force applied at an angle relative to the top surface 12 the projections 28 are also arranged and configured to distribute the impact load over a larger surface area of the panel 10 as the panel 10 is subjected to an impact load either from the small load f or the larger load f the projections deflect in a gradient over a larger area than the area over which the load is applied for example as the panel reacts to the large impact load f the projections immediately under the applied load may behave as shown in fig8 b as the distance increases away from the applied load f the projections 28 will exhibit deflections resembling those of fig8 a thus the projections 28 form a deflection gradient over a larger area than the area of the applied load this larger area includes areas having deflections of both first and second stages 40 and 42 and areas having deflections of substantially only the.