Patent ID: 8573192

Claim:
A device comprising: a first handle connected to a first end of a flexible member; a second handle slidably engaged with the flexible member, wherein the first and second handles are adapted to be grasped by a user; a housing, integral with the second handle, and comprising a retraction device operatively connected to a second end of the flexible member, wherein the retraction device is adapted to retract at least a portion of the flexible member into an interior portion defined by the housing; a first hook member slidably coupled to the flexible member, wherein the first hook member comprises a first attachment assembly and a first coupling assembly; a second hook member slidably coupled to the flexible member, wherein the second hook member comprises a second attachment assembly and a second coupling assembly; wherein the first and second hook members are positioned between the first and second handles; wherein the first and second attachment assemblies are adapted to receive at least a portion of an associated crossbow bowstring; wherein the first and second coupling assemblies are adapted to at least partially enable the movement of the first and second hook members, respectively, along at least a portion of the flexible member; wherein the retraction device comprises: a shaft member rotatably coupled to the housing; a pair of end plates connected to ends of the shaft member, wherein the end plates rotate in conjunction with the shaft member and retain at least a portion of the flexible member retracted into the housing; and, a biasing member operatively connected to the shaft member to urge the shaft member to rotate in a first direction, wherein rotation of the shaft member in the first direction causes the flexible member to wind around a circumference of the shaft member between the pair of end plates.