A force sensor apparatus comprising a sensor housing and a sensing assembly, the sensing assembly including: a force-compliant element having a center portion and an outer portion; one or more sensing elements coupled to the center portion of the force-compliant element; and a flexible spring element having an outer diameter and a center portion, the flexible spring element curving from the outer diameter to the center portion of the flexible spring element; the center portion of the flexible spring element aligned with the center portion of the force-compliant element; the outer diameter separated from a ledge of the outer portion of the force-compliant element by a space; the flexible spring element configured to bend in response to a force within a range being applied to the outer diameter, such that the outer diameter moves within the space towards the ledge as the force is transferred from the outer diameter to the center portion of the flexible spring element and applied to the center portion of the force-compliant element until additional force in excess of the range is applied to the outer diameter causing the outer diameter to press against the ledge, at which point, the additional force is applied to the outer portion of the force-compliant element and the sensor housing; the force-compliant element deforms in response to the application of force from the center portion of the flexible spring element; and the one or more sensing elements generate one or more signals indicating a degree that the force-compliant element has deformed in response to the application of force from the center portion of the flexible spring element. a force-compliant element having a center portion and an outer portion; one or more sensing elements coupled to the center portion of the force-compliant element; and a flexible spring element having an outer diameter and a center portion, the flexible spring element curving from the outer diameter to the center portion of the flexible spring element; the center portion of the flexible spring element aligned with the center portion of the force-compliant element; the outer diameter separated from a ledge of the outer portion of the force-compliant element by a space; the flexible spring element configured to bend in response to a force within a range being applied to the outer diameter, such that the outer diameter moves within the space towards the ledge as the force is transferred from the outer diameter to the center portion of the flexible spring element and applied to the center portion of the force-compliant element until additional force in excess of the range is applied to the outer diameter causing the outer diameter to press against the ledge, at which point, the additional force is applied to the outer portion of the force-compliant element and the sensor housing; the force-compliant element deforms in response to the application of force from the center portion of the flexible spring element; and the one or more sensing elements generate one or more signals indicating a degree that the force-compliant element has deformed in response to the application of force from the center portion of the flexible spring element.