A trio of new Bill Cosby accusers have emerged, alleging that the famed comedian sexually assaulted them as far back as four decades ago.

According to Time, the women appeared at a press conference on Thursday with civil-rights attorney Gloria Allred to lodge their accusations, bringing the overall number of women who have accused Cosby of such behaviour to more than 40. Allred, who represents many of the women, added they are speaking out now because the former "Cosby Show" star still refuses to "acknowledge and take responsibility for his conduct towards women."

The 77-year-old Cosby has denied all the allegations and has never been criminally charged. He currently continues to perform and book tour dates for his "Far From Finished" tour. In a statement, Cosby's lead attorney Marty Singer recently argued, "Alleged decades-old events are becoming increasingly ridiculous."

Vulture reports among the more recent allegations, Janice Baker-Kinney insists in 1982 she was working as a bartender at a Nevada-based Harrah's when Cosby allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted her at a home owned by the casino.

Then 24, Kinney alleges she had gone to the home for a pizza party, and Cosby soon was offering her two pills. "I thought it must be OK," she added. "Bill Cosby said it was."

Marcella Tate alleges she was a 27-year-old model when she met Cosby at the Playboy Mansion in Chicago in 1975. After going out for lunch and drinks with him and others on a couple of different occasions, she insists Cosby called her and asked her to pick him up at the airport.

She adds the last thing she remembers is arriving at the Playboy Mansion with Cosby and being offered a glass of wine. "The next cloudy memory I have is that I was in a different room," she said. "I was in bed. Bill Cosby was next to me, and it didn't appear he was wearing anything."

The third alleged victim, Autumn Burns, recalls being just 20 years old and working as game starter and a model in Las Vegas when she met Cosby in the early 1970s. She insists right away Cosby enticed her by telling her he could get her work as a model and actress.

In the days ahead, she claims Cosby once gave her $500 to gamble with and later invited her up to his suite for a drink. Soon, she alleges she began to feel woozy and recalls Cosby sexually assaulting her.

Cosby's next show is scheduled for May 2 at the Cobb Centre in Atlanta, and Allred said protesters are planning to demonstrate outside the arena.