Here is a page showing the Circut Loop Break and the Bains Break insulators. The only advantage I see would be that you could use any size of spool depending on the size wire used and the length of break by the length of the bars. The only patent I could find was US 476,828 from Pass & Seymour in 1892 showing their improved design break insulator. Findlay Electric Porcelain Co. had a similar design but I could not find a patent from them either. Anyways it's neat to have an example even if it's not legit.