Abstract: The device comprises a housing (3) in which are disposed a winch (4) for driving the cable (1) and capable of being driven by a motor (5), and end members (5a, 5b) each receiving an end portion of a sheath (6) containing the cable. The end members (5a, 5b) are each elastically biased by a compression spring (8a, 8b) mounted in the housing (3) coaxially with the cable (1). Each end member (5a, 5b) is provided on one of its sides with a set of teeth (9a, 9b) which extends in a direction parallel to the cable (1) and is engaged with a complementary set of teeth (11a, 11b) of a shoe (12a, 12b) disposed in the housing (3) in such manner as to be slightly slidable in the transverse direction when the end member (5a, 5b) of the sheath is moved in a direction parallel to the cable. An arrangement is provided for maintaining the shoes (12a, 12b) elastically bearing against the toothed side of the associated members (5a, 5b).