Side bar plunger and solenoid cylinder locking mechanism

An electronic lock assembly comprising,

• a lock cylinder defining a cylinder axis and a first slot portion extending axially along the lock cylinder, the lock cylinder being rotatably mounted in conjunction with a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism including a housing and a bolt, wherein selective rotation of the lock cylinder from a home position causes unlocking of the locking mechanism,
• the lock cylinder having a portion thereof which is engaged in the home position to selectively prevent rotation thereof,
• a solenoid assembly comprising a plunger which is normally biased to a first position, wherein the plunger in the first position prevents rotation of the lock cylinder, and wherein actuation of the solenoid assembly to move the plunger to a second position allows rotation of the lock cylinder, and
• an elongated rotation preventing member including a substantially flat major face extending substantially parallel to the cylinder axis, the plunger being operable to maintain the elongated rotation preventing member in linear engagement with the first slot portion so as to prevent rotation of the lock cylinder, the elongated rotation preventing member defining a second slot portion in the major face, the second slot portion being selectively engaged by the plunger to prevent movement of the rotation preventing member out of engagement with the first slot portion.