Support plate system for elevated flooring tiles

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An elevated flooring surface assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of support pedestals disposed upon a fixed surface with a predetermined spacing between the support pedestals;   a plurality of support plates disposed over top surfaces of the plurality of support pedestals, wherein each support plate includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, a plurality of corner portions, a plurality of outer edge segments disposed between adjacent corner portions, and a locating structure attached to a first of the outer edge segments and extending away from the top surface, wherein a second of the outer edge segments of each support plate is free of locating structures extending away from the top surface, and wherein each support plate includes at least three corner portions that are respectively disposed over the top surfaces of at least three of the support pedestals; and   a plurality of surface tiles respectively positioned over the plurality of support plates, wherein each surface tile includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, a plurality of corner portions, and a plurality of outer edge segments disposed between adjacent corner portions, and wherein one of the outer edge segments of each surface tile abuts the locating structure of the first outer edge segment of its respective support plate.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of each surface tile is positioned above an upper free end of the locating structure. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the locating structure is an upturned lip that is perpendicular to the top surface of the base. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the support plate is a substantially planar plate. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support plate is made of one of metal, plastic, wood, a cement-compound, concrete, clay, fiberglass, rubber, or a composite material. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a locating structure is attached to a third of the outer edge segments and extends away from the top surface. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein a second of the outer edge segments of the surface tile abuts the locating structure of the third outer edge segment of the support plate. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first outer edge segment of the support plate is opposite the third outer edge segment of the support plate. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first outer edge segment of the support plate is adjacent the third outer edge segment of the support plate. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of each support plate is attached to the top surface of one of the plurality of support pedestals. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further including:
 a washer or spline positioned over at least one of the corner portions of each support plate for attaching the support plate to the support pedestal.   
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further including:
 a fastener extending through the washer or spline and into the top surface of the support pedestal.   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each support plate includes four corner portions, and wherein each surface tile includes four corner portions. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each support pedestal includes a base member that rests on the fixed surface, a support member, and a central section that interconnects the base member and support member, wherein the support plates are disposed on top surfaces of the support members of the support pedestals. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the surface tiles include one of stone, porcelain, ceramic, a cement-compound, wood, metal, glass, fiberglass, plastic, or a composite material. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of each support tile is bonded to the top surface of one of the support plates with at least one adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one adhesive is at least one strip of adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one strip of adhesive is a plurality of strips of adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one adhesive is inorganic or organic. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one strip of solid adhesive is butyl rubber.