Support pedestal assembly including a stabilizing collar for stabilizing a support structure

1 . A support pedestal assembly, comprising:
 a support pedestal comprising a base plate that is configured to be placed upon a fixed surface, a support plate disposed over the base plate that is configured to support a surface tile above the fixed surface, and a substantially cylindrical extension disposed between the base plate and the support plate, the substantially cylindrical extension comprising external extension threads along at least a portion thereof; and
 a stabilizing collar comprising internal collar threads that are configured to be threadably engaged with the external extension threads, and comprising a plurality of pedestal attachment elements disposed around a perimeter of the stabilizing collar; 
 wherein the stabilizing collar may be threadably engaged with and rotated relative to the substantially cylindrical extension to adjust the height of the stabilizing collar relative to the base plate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support pedestal comprises a height-adjustable pedestal. 
     
     
         3 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support pedestal comprises a fixed-height pedestal. 
     
     
         4 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 2 , wherein the support plate is disposed on a support member that is configured to be threadably engaged with the external extension threads. 
     
     
         5 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 2 , wherein the support pedestal further comprises a coupling member. 
     
     
         6 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 5 , wherein the coupling member comprises external coupling member threads, and wherein the external coupling member threads comprise at least a portion of the external extension threads. 
     
     
         7 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pedestal attachment elements are disposed on a flange extending around a perimeter of the stabilizing collar. 
     
     
         8 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 7 , wherein the pedestal attachment elements comprise apertures that are disposed on the flange. 
     
     
         9 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 8 , wherein the pedestal attachment elements comprise attachment knobs that are disposed on the flange. 
     
     
         10 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 9 , wherein the attachment knobs comprise a securement mechanism that is configured to secure a brace to the attachment knob. 
     
     
         11 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 10 , wherein the securement mechanism comprises a retaining ridge disposed around a circumference of the attachment knob. 
     
     
         12 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 10 , wherein the securement mechanism comprises a resilient tab member. 
     
     
         13 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the attachment knobs are permanently affixed to the flange. 
     
     
         14 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the attachment knobs are removably affixed to the flange. 
     
     
         15 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizing collar is a first stabilizing collar configured to be threadably engaged with the external extension threads at a first vertical position above the base plate, and wherein the support pedestal assembly further comprises:
 a second stabilizing collar comprising internal collar threads that are configured to be threadably engaged with the external extension threads at a second vertical position above the base plate that is different than the first vertical position, and comprising a plurality of pedestal attachment elements disposed around a perimeter of the second stabilizing collar.   
     
     
         16 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 15 , wherein the pedestal attachment elements of the first and second stabilizing collars comprise attachment knobs and/or apertures that are disposed on the flange. 
     
     
         17 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base plate comprises a plurality of pedestal attachment elements disposed around a perimeter thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A support structure for elevating a building surface above a fixed surface, the support structure comprising:
 a plurality of support pedestal assemblies disposed in spaced-apart relation, the support pedestal assemblies comprising:
 a base member that is placed upon a fixed surface, 
 a support plate disposed over the base member that is adapted to support a surface tile above the fixed surface, 
 a substantially cylindrical extension disposed between the base member and the support plate, the substantially cylindrical extension comprising external extension threads along at least a portion thereof, and 
 a stabilizing collar comprising internal collar threads that are threadably engaged with the external extension threads, the stabilizing collar comprising a plurality of pedestal attachment elements disposed around a perimeter of the stabilizing collar; and 
   a plurality of braces operatively attached to the pedestal attachment elements to interconnect the support pedestal assemblies, the braces comprising end portions comprising brace attachment elements that are operatively engaged with the pedestal attachment elements.   
     
     
         19 . The support structure recited in  claim 18 , wherein the support pedestal assemblies comprise a height-adjustable support pedestal. 
     
     
         20 . The support structure recited in  claim 18 , wherein the support pedestal assemblies comprise a fixed-height pedestal. 
     
     
         21 . The support structure recited in  claim 18 , wherein the pedestal attachment elements are disposed on a flange extending around a perimeter of the stabilizing collar. 
     
     
         22 . The support structure recited in  claim 21 , wherein the pedestal attachment elements comprise attachment knobs that are disposed on the flange. 
     
     
         23 . The support structure recited in  claim 22 , wherein the attachment knobs comprise a securement mechanism that is configured to secure a brace to the attachment knob. 
     
     
         24 . The support structure recited in  claim 22 , wherein the brace attachment elements comprise apertures that are placed over the attachment knobs. 
     
     
         25 . The support structure recited in  claim 21 , wherein the pedestal attachment elements comprise apertures that are disposed on the flange, and wherein the brace attachment elements comprise attachment knobs that are received in the apertures. 
     
     
         26 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 18 , wherein the stabilizing collar is a first stabilizing collar that is threadably engaged with the external extension threads at a first vertical position above the base member, and wherein at least a portion of the support pedestal assemblies further comprise:
 a second stabilizing collar comprising internal collar threads that are threadably engaged with the external extension threads at a second vertical position above the base member that is different than the first vertical position, and comprising a plurality of pedestal attachment elements disposed around a perimeter of the second stabilizing collar, wherein the plurality of braces are operatively attached to the pedestal attachment elements of the first and second stabilizing collars to interconnect the support pedestal assemblies.   
     
     
         27 . The support pedestal assembly recited in  claim 18 , wherein the base member of at least some of the support pedestal assemblies comprises a plurality of pedestal attachment elements disposed around a perimeter thereof, wherein the plurality of braces are operatively attached to the pedestal attachment elements of the stabilizing collars and the base members to interconnect the support pedestal assemblies. 
     
     
         28 . An elevated building surface assembly, comprising the support structure recited in  claim 16  and comprising:
 a plurality of surface tiles operatively placed upon the support plates in spaced-apart relation to form an elevated building surface. 
 
     
     
         29 - 34 . (canceled)