Device to draw the bowstring of a crossbow

A device for cocking a crossbow having a bowstring, the device comprising a housing, a shaft rectilinearly movable with respect to said housing, means within said housing operatively connected to said shaft to rectilinearly move said shaft, said means operatively connected to said shaft including screw threads on said shaft, a gear set and worm sleeve engageable with said screw threads, and electric motor means having a rotatable shaft, such that rotational motion of said motor shaft is translated into rectilinear movement of said shaft relative to said housing, and means carried by said shaft to engage the bowstring, such that when said shaft moves, the bowstring is drawn, said means to engage the bowstring including a fork element having a plurality of tine members separated by a crossbar.