Inflatable curtain housing with deployment flap

The present invention relates to an inflatable apparatus for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a side impact to the vehicle and/or a vehicle rollover. Apparatus () includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device () and a housing (). The protection device () is inflatable away from a vehicle roof () between a vehicle side structure () and a vehicle occupant (). The housing () includes an elongated channel portion () having first and second longitudinal edges (and ) defining a chamber (). A closure flap () extends from the first edge () and has an end releasably connected to the second edge () to enclose the protection device () in the chamber (). A deployment flap () overlies the closure flap (). The deployment flap () is adapted to move into a position overlying a side trim piece () and direct the protection device to inflate between the occupant () and the trim piece when the protection device is inflated.