Slim Jim (lock Pick) - Wikipedia

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Appearance move to sidebar hide From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Device to break into cars This article is about the lockpicking device. For other uses, see Slim Jim (disambiguation).

A slim jim (more technically known as a lockout tool) is a thin strip of metal (usually spring steel) roughly 60 centimetres (24 in) long and about 2–4 centimetres (0.79–1.57 in) wide originally marketed under that name by HPC Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of specialty locksmithing tools. Slim jims are used to unlock automobile doors without use of a key or lock pick, and are commonly used in grand theft auto. It acts directly on the levers and interconnecting rods that operate the door, completely avoiding the complexity of dealing with the lock mechanism itself. The hooked end of the tool is slipped between a car's window and the rubber seal, catching the rods that connect to the lock mechanism. With careful manipulation, the door can be opened.[1]

Unskilled use of the tool will often detach the lock rods, leaving the lock inoperable even with the key. This is often a clue that someone has attempted to break into a car. Newer cars have also incorporated internal defenses against this tool such as barrier blocks on the bottom of the window, preventing entry, and also shrouding the operating rods and the lock cylinder to prevent manipulation of internal linkages.

There have been unsubstantiated claims that in modern vehicles there is a chance for setting off the side airbag deployment system of the vehicle, possibly causing injury to a person using a slim jim. However, according to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this has not been verified and manufacturers state it is impossible.[2] An episode of MythBusters showed experimenters that were also unable to deploy an airbag with a slim jim.[3]

References

[edit]

1. ^ Lee, Venus (July 26, 2005). "Civics top Oahu thieves' wish lists". Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
2. ^ "Slim Jim incidents unfounded". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Archived from the original on 2006-10-01.
3. ^ "Episode 79: Western Myths, Lock Pick of Death (Airbags)". Annotated Mythbusters. Retrieved 2 April 2014.

v t e Locks, locksmithing, lock picking, and security alarms
Fundamental concepts	Access control Authentication Key control Key duplication Key relevance Master keying Password Physical security Rekeying
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Keys	Berlin key Car key Keychain Skeleton key Smart key
Mechanical locks	Warded lock Pin tumbler lock Disc tumbler lock Lever tumbler lock Magnetic keyed lock Padlock Combination lock Rotary combination lock Time-delay combination locks Time lock Tubular pin tumbler lock Wafer tumbler lock
Electronic locks	Electromagnetic lock Electronic lock Electric strike Keycard lock
Other lock types	Bicycle lock Bramah lock Chubb detector lock Child safety lock Kensington Security Slot Latch Luggage lock Power door locks Protector lock Real-estate lock box Steering-wheel lock The Club
Lock picking	Lock bumping Locksport Slim Jim Snap gun
Door hardware	Dead bolt Door chain Door closer Door frame Door furniture Door handle Door security Doorstop Hinge Night latch
Emergency access/exit	Crash bar Electromagnetic door holder Emergency exit Emergency light Exit control lock Exit sign Knox Box
Security alarms	Alarm device Alarm monitoring center Car alarm Card reader Closed-circuit television Door loop Dual loop Fingerprint scanner Glass break detector Heat detector Key switch Keypad Miniature snap-action switch Motion detector Occupancy sensor Passive infrared sensor (PIR) Perimeter intrusion detection Photoelectric sensor Piezo switch Pressure switch Proximity card Reed switch Tripwire Ultrasonic transducer Vandal-resistant switch Water detector Window security
Miscellaneous	Glossary of locksmithing terms John M. Mossman Lock Museum Key to the City Lock Museum Lock Museum of America Musée de la Serrure Puzzle lock
Category:Locksmithing Keys Locks Book

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